Best of England in 14 Days Tour

England offers a delightful mix of big-city thrills and thatch-happy village charm. Your Rick Steves guide will welcome you in the elegant Georgian town of Bath. From there you'll tally-ho to King Arthur's Glastonbury, flower-boxed Cotswold villages, opulent Blenheim Palace, Welsh Conwy and Caernarfon Castle. You'll also be treated to the spectacular scenery of the Lake District, historic Hadrian's Wall, and medieval York — ending with the must-see sights of energetic London. Join us for the Best of England in 14 Days!

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions Agreement for important details regarding everything listed above

Itinerary

Daily Activity Key

Light = 2-4 miles of mostly level walking throughout the day.

Moderate = 2-6 miles walking throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Strenuous = 2-8 miles walking throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs and uneven terrain.

Day 1: Welcome to England

The beautiful Georgian city of Bath is a 90-minute train ride from central London. We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to England" get-together. Then we'll take a short neighborhood walk and get acquainted over a traditional Sunday roast dinner and a tasting of local beers. Sleep in Bath (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Roman and Georgian Bath

Our day begins with a walking tour of Bath's charming streets, including its medieval abbey square and the imposing sweep of its Royal Crescent. Next we're off to tour the town's remarkably well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman Baths where you'll have a chance to drink from these natural mineral springs in the Pump Room. The rest of the day is free to make your own discoveries in this historic town. You might visit the colorful Fashion Museum or — as Roman travelers did — bathe in a mineral spa. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 3: Glastonbury and Wells

Today we'll explore and learn about mystical Glastonbury, the legendary resting place of King Arthur, where we'll also enjoy a picnic in the shadow of the abbey ruins. Later we'll tour England's oldest completely Gothic structure — the graceful Wells Cathedral — before returning to Bath in the late afternoon. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 4: Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds

This morning we'll take a walking tour through the wonderfully preserved medieval village of Lacock. Farther up the road, we'll stop to tour Avebury's mysterious, prehistoric stone circle. Then we'll drive north to Blenheim Palace, touring this gilded mini-Versailles that was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. We end our day in the charming, flower-boxed Cotswolds market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 5: Cotswold Villages

Today we'll take a scenic Cotswolds drive, stopping at the ever-so-English Cotswolds village of Stanton. We'll explore the village as well as visit Stanway House, home to the local aristocracy. This afternoon you'll have free time to explore more picturesque villages on your own — or join your guide for a leisurely country walk past cottages and sheep, through fields and kissing gates. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner together at a country pub with the sounds of local folk musicians, where you can try a sip of Scrumpy, the local farmhouse "hard cider." Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 6: Castles, Gardens and Wales

We'll begin our day visiting Stokesay Castle, a fortified manor house, where will learn about the demonstration of wealth and the feudal system. After lunch we'll bid cheerio to England and drive into neighboring wonderful North Wales, where we’ll explore the manicured lawns, terraced beds, and extensive botanical collection of Bodnant Gardens. We'll end our day overlooking the Irish Sea in the castle-topped, harbor town of Conwy, where we'll share dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 7: Welsh Highlands and Caernarfon Castle

Today we'll see and feel the rugged character of North Wales with a steam train ride through the majestic Snowdonia National Park, ending in the seaside town of Caernarfon. Once there, we will tour the impressive Caernarfon Castle, where we'll learn about the system of English garrison castles Edward I built to enforce English rule over North Wales 700 years ago. The rest of your afternoon is free to roam along Conwy's multi-towered city wall, historic houses and laid-back harbor. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 8: To the Lake District

This morning we'll cross back into England and make our way to the spectacularly serene Lake District, favorite haunt of poets and painters. We'll board a steamer ship on Lake Windermere and enjoy a cruise on the largest lake in the Lake District before exploring one of the charming villages that dot the region. We'll end the day feasting on fish and chips together at a traditional English Chippie. Sleep at a family-run hotel in Keswick (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 9: The Lake District

Today we'll explore the natural beauty of the Lake District. You can join your guide for a refreshing hike 'twixt lakes and mountains and a leisurely boat cruise on the island-studded Derwentwater — or strike out on a little expedition of your own, thanks to a wealth of hiking opportunities along well-marked trails. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 10: Hadrian's Wall

We'll travel back in time today with a tour of Hadrian's ancient Roman wall, once considered the boundary dividing civilization and barbarity (though the Scots might disagree), and the Roman auxiliary fort, Vindolanda. We'll then stop for lunch before winding our way through the moors and dales of North Yorkshire — James Herriot country — to the bustling cathedral city of York. Upon arrival, we’ll take a walking tour beneath the leaning, half-timbered houses of The Shambles in the city’s marvelous medieval center. Tonight we'll indulge in England's favorite ethnic food with a tasty Indian dinner together. Sleep in York (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 11: York Minster and the Medieval City

We'll begin our day marveling at York Minster's stained glass windows on our tour of the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. You'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy more of this enchanting city. It's a great night to enjoy an ethereal evensong choir performance in the Minster. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 12: Lively London

Today we'll board a train and make a beeline past the Midlands for London. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an entertaining guided bus tour, hearing tales about Big Ben, the river Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, and more. Then we'll visit Westminster Abbey with a local guide, where England's kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. A thousand years of English history lie within its stained-glass splendor and under its stone slabs. Later this afternoon, we'll check into our hotel and get oriented to our neighborhood and London's Tube. Tonight is a perfect evening for the theater (book something in advance from the Colonies or pick up a ticket in London). Sleep in central London (2 nights). Train: 2 hrs. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 13: Historic and Regal London

This morning we'll head out for an energetic day of sightseeing, beginning with a scenic cruise on the River Thames, the center of London life since Roman times. We'll disembark at the Tower of London, join a tour with a witty Beefeater, see the majestic crown jewels which include the world's largest cut diamond — the 530-carat First Star of Africa — and ponder the first "skyscraper" of its time. You'll have the rest of the afternoon free before our final group dinner together, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Cheers! No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be easily reached by Tube, train or bus from our London neighborhood. For those not ready to return home yet, London is a great jumping off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam and many other exciting destinations. Cheerio!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Activity Level

Our tours are physically active! It’s an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of England in 14 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily...

Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (several blocks possible) and up stairways to reach your hotel; then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.

Be on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.

Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.

After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.

Be able to climb many flights of stairs in and out of the London Underground system.

Reviews

Kenneth

Houston, TX

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time. The entire two weeks were relaxed, informative and enjoyable. The other travellers were pleasant and seemed to enjoy the tour as much as we did. The pacing of visits was perfect - staying two nights in each location gave our tour guide the opportunity to show us all of the importatnt sites and point out places to eat and places to avoid - all very much appreciated! Then the second day we had available to check out what interested us individually.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I personally enjoyed York - its cathedrals and sights, but also enjoyed Caernarfon Castle (wish we had more time there to explore that amazing castle!)."

Jeannie

Houston, TX

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations! Very well organized! Relaxing because everything was top notch and provided. I especially liked the way we were introduced to a new place, given landmark points to remember and left to our own exploration! This allowed safety and comfort in a group setting but also allowed individual taste and discovery! At the end of the day when we all compared notes, hardly anyone had done the same thing! It was amazing! Same area, different tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! York and Caernarfon were at the top of the list, but places like Vindalanda and Stow-on-the-Wold that I didn't know about were welcome surprises!"

Annmarie

Puyallup, WA

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I truly felt like I joined a family. While at first I wished we had stayed in each location longer, I now appreciate the chance to experience a little bit of many places in England. Placing the London visit at the end of the tour was also nice as I felt more confident in navigating the transportation systems after sometime already in the country. If recommendations are welcome, I'd ask for the stay in York to be a day longer and perhaps a day or two in Cornwall added.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our small group size as well as the range of activities. Every place we visited was amazing."

Charles

Wakefield, RI

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The factors contributing to my enjoyment were as follows: a knowledgeable and personable guide, an excellent overview of the entire country, a good balance between directed and free time, a great choice of paid attractions, and the pleasant company of fellow tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was amazed at the Roman baths in Bath--the extensiveness of the excavations and the thoroughness of the explanations given."

Frances

Seattle, WA

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were blessed with a fabulous guide, a small group of energetic, interesting tour mates, and a well-planned tour of England. It was so nice to simply go, connect and enjoy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have always wanted to take a country walk in the Cotswolds. It was as scenic, quaint and as lovely as I had imagined."

Donna

Olympia, WA

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I cannot say enough good things from the trip venues themselves, to the trip itinerary, to the partially self-guided philosophy, to the smooth carrying out of every plan. We had a small group of 18 and it was perfection. There were no mishaps and my daughter and I had the time of our lives. Record warm/hot weather and only got rained on once!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being from the "new" Pacific Northwest, simply trying to wrap our heads around the age of things and the breadth of history, be it religions, monarchies, invasions, etc., that shaped the UK. Amazing sights to behold and SO OLD in our Washintonian eyes!"

Jacki

Missoula, MT

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This fulfilled a lifelong dream - to go to England! I was more interested in the countryside rather than London and found that to be the truth. The countryside was my favorite with London being a little over-whelming. I was alone on the tour so in London I found being alone a little challenging and not my favorite of the trip.
The history was enlightening; the weather was perfect as was the company. Our tour guide was wonderful and gave us all great insights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"You want one favorite "wow" moment?! Impossible. The city of Bath was a "wow" moment as was Glastonbury Abbey. However going to Caernarfon was exceptional. I have wanted to go to that particular castle for decades. The Cotswolds were definitely a "wow" and seeing Avebury. The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey were in the "wow" category, but the countryside of England gave me a "wow" feeling every day."

Gretchen

Wakefield, RI

Tour: 06/28/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What would it have been without Robert? I have never experienced such a servant-hearted leader. We were each convinced that we were the center of his universe. My husband and I had 4 days post tour in London alone. Then we REALLY felt his worth.
The itinerary was varied: Bath was a great place to start. The Cotswolds were charming. Wales was "gritty". York was the high point. The group members were tops. Our bus driver, Louise, was an essential part of the experience. Great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the sung evensong at York Minster. But the tour members are right up there."

Jack

Boulder, CO

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having taken two other tours, I found Mark to offer the best thus far. He made the tour enjoyable and gave us a wealth of information.
The countryside of England and Wales will always be in my memories.
The Cotswold villages are unique in their charm.
The Lake District is a beautiful sight for the tired eyes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the hotel in the Lake District and the hills with a green that was spiritual.
My initial thought of the pastoral area that it was going to be somewhat boring and felt London would be the highlight, but it turned out to be more enjoyable in the countryside."

Debra

Suisun City, CA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mark was a wonderful tour guide. Very pleasant and funny. Enjoyed the itinerary gave us an excellent overview of the history, culture and the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was waking up the panoramic view at Keswick in the Lake District. Very peaceful and calm."

Norman

San Diego, CA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded my expectations. I had been to England before, but not to some of these areas. This tour, with such a outstanding guide, was no comparison; it really provided such greater depth, with such ease and pace, it could not have been better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole trip was a wow moment."

Alan

Suisun City, CA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our time and trip with Mark was fabulous. I always enjoy learning about the history and events of the countries I visit. Our bus driver was cool calm and witty during the trip. I wish we could have spent more time in London, but that will be for another trip. We have referred friends to your company and look forward to our next outing with you!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Hadrian's Wall and the archeological dig at Vindolanda. The country side was magnificent and more than what I expected. I also enjoyed the boat cruise on Windermere Lake as staying at the Crow Park Hotel in Keswick!! I would love to live there and spend more time hiking and touring the country side!!"

Jane

Nashville, TN

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I liked the selection of places we visited. Our tour guide (Mark) was excellent-- very knowledgeable and personable, able to answer pretty much any question, and patient. The bus driver, James, was also a great addition to the trip (excellent driver, great personality). The travel portions went quite smoothly (very glad we were not in London during the tube strike). I loved the boat excursions (Thames, Lake Windermere, Derwentwater lake). Roman history very interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lake District, especially climbing up to the summit of Catbells. We were somewhat discouraged from doing this by our guide, Mark, and I wonder if someone in a previous tour group had a bad experience, leading to a general policy of discouragement for hiking somewhat strenuous routes.
My daughter's favorite was Conwy; castles, hiking to vista point of harbor, quaint town with town walls, etc."

Linda

Buckhead, GA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I like the small villages more than York/London (but I did enjoy them). I loved the scenery - mountains, livestock, flowers! Mark was outstanding, full of history and knowledge about the areas we visited. All of our group got along well together, which made the tour even better. No air conditioning in the hot weather was not a plus, but we had been warned. All hotels had really good beds and linens. I would have like more time in London with the guide and a trip to Windsor Castle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gates at Buckingham Palace. Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick, the circle of rocks over 4500 years old."

James

Palo Alto, CA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I am a runner and am very appreciative that all of the places we stayed overnight had excellent trails for running.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1) country pub in the Cotswolds for dinner - excellent food and music.
2) Stanway House. Intimate insight into an aristocrat's home and flour mill"

Joe

Buckhead, GA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, with a few exceptions mentioned below, I had a very good time on my trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highlight of the night (and for the entire trip as far as I am concerned) was the evening at the Baker's Arms pub and the singing of a local group presenting a great deal of English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish music."

Janet

Pasadena, CA

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My daughter and I had a grand time on the tour and now share many lovely memories. Bath is a terrific tourist town and very walkable. The walk between Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter near Stow-on-the-Wald was pleasant and Stokesay Castle was special. My favorite places, however, were Conwy and north Wales and Keswick and the Lake District. If I were ever to return England it would to be these two places. I would have liked another day at Hadrian's Wall and another in York.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Chervil White Horse in the Cotswolds. That's an odd thing to have a "wow" moment over, but never seen anything like it before. Marvelous. Wells Cathedral was pretty awesome also."

Mark

Pendleton, OR

Tour: 06/21/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized. Great blend of Hx And geography. I really appreciate the Rick Steves philosophy of educating you and then turning you lose to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one. The Roman baths, Glastonbury, York Minster, the Welsh countryside and castles all stand out."

Judith

Palm Harbor, FL

Tour: 06/14/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our sixth RS tour so we had expectations of having a great time on the tour. Our group of 24 was one of the best we have had with people who listened to and cooperated with our guide as far as getting to the buses on time and being polite and considerate. We thoroughly enjoyed the travel experience with them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a group,we took a walk in the woods and pathways in the Lake District when we came upon, quite by chance, a young shepherd and her two sheep dogs working in the field, herding the sheep into pens. The efficiency of the task and how those two dogs worked together and with the shepherd was so much fun to watch. That is nothing we have seen before except on film."

Patricia

Morgan Hill, CA

Tour: 06/14/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent itinerary with a great deal of variety. Loved our guide (Gillian) as well as the trainee Lorraine. Both had extensive knowledge of the areas we visited and were extremely entertaining. I also enjoyed our local guides. The accommodations were excellent[INVALID]comfortable and centrally located. Meals were also excellent[INVALID]certainly a contrast to the common expectations of British food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every place we visited was spectacular, but I especially enjoyed Glastonbury. The Abbey was fascinating and the town a wonderful contrast to the ancient buildings and history. Also very much enjoyed Caernarvon Castle in Wales. Our guide there was knowledgeable and quite funny."

Sylvia

Rantoul, KS

Tour: 06/14/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed seeing the England countryside and gardens without having to do all the work of planning what towns to visit, hotels to stay in as well as transportation. I also enjoyed the Roman Baths,walking thru the fields where the sleep live,the Bodnant Gardens,steam train ride,the ferry boat cruise, Hadrian's wall and of coarse London.We enjoyed two plays offered one in Keswick and one in London.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow sites but I'll have to say the Roman Baths, the Avery Stone Circle and Hadrian's wall"

Jolly

Auburn, AL

Tour: 06/14/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time and enjoyed all of the places we visited. The Rick Steves guides and bus driver were all terrific. I feel like we lucked out and got your very best. My only disappointment during the tour was poor wifi in the first B&B, but I understand that wifi can be unreliable at times. It was not much of a problem in the long run.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Overall favorite place was Keswick - the town itself, the boat ride and especially the trail hike back stopped by sheep being rounded up by border collies to cross right in front of us on the trail. Beautiful! Just one of those moments never to be forgotten. The Eye in London was also a "wow" time-on-my-own experience."

Carmen

Alamo Heights, TX

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 15th RS tour. I obviously love the tours-the education, the sights, the top notch guides and free time. RS tours have all of the transportation and hotels worked out so all i have to do is relax and enjoy my experience. of course, i do a lot of research before my trip and i supplement my free time with sights that are not included. I have been to london many times. What i liked about this tour was the time spent in the smaller towns and english countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the trip from start to finish! However, I will always think about spending several hours in the warm pool on the rooftop of the spa in bath, looking out amongst the genteel skyline and rolling green hills. it is a great way to get over the muscle strain that comes with traveling! the modern spa is not included in the tour, but there is plenty of free time to enjoy it on your own."

Eric

Vashon, WA

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

THe tour proved just right for us, funky hotels in the middle of things, plenty of info provided so we could make the most of our free time, good-natured and interesting traveling companions, at least two nghts at each hotel, comfortable bus, bus rides of reasonable length, excellent choice and mix of sites on itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick just one. Among the contenders:
Stanway House in the Cotswolds. A truly "lived-in" estate, its shabbiness was part of what made it interesting, and the water mill was fascinating.
Hiking up to Catbells (and beyond) while in the Lake District. Awesome views.
Hearing Evensong, and then a performance of Britten's "War Requiem," at York Minster.
Vinolanda.
The narrow-gauge steam train to Carnaerfon.
Walking the walls in Conwy."

Doug

Edmonds, WA

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another stress free tour with a very knowledgeable and competent guide. Robert was a wonderful story teller about English history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire tour was interesting and a joy to be a part of!"

Bill

Saratoga, CA

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have been on 5 RS tours now and this tour met all of my expectations. It was well organized and had a good mix of tour time and free time. Our guide and the local guides were all very good in explaining their areas of expertise. The information provided by the RS tour department was spot on and we had no difficulty in reaching our hotel in Bath. I can't think of a better way to travel and see Europe. I recommend the RS program to everyone thinking of going to Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't say that there was one "wow" moment for me. The Cotswolds were very interesting. I was amazed by Blenheim Palace. Hiking the Lake District near Keswick for a day was a nice break in the routine. Hadrian's Wall, York, Conwy, London were all worth visiting and learning more about. I enjoyed the pub scene and my wife and I ate most of our meals in various pubs throughout the tour. And let's not forget the Brits themselves. Very nice people and very accommodating."

Lauri

Oakland, CA

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Robert was a fantastic guide. He was so knowledgeable about all of the sites and the history. He was able to engage the attention of 4 teen agers as well as older adults. I really enjoyed learning about English history! There was enough alone time to do things on our own with good suggestions from Robert as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The York Minster was amazing. Our guide was very informative and interesting and the Minster itself is truly a treasure. I also really enjoyed the town of York. Also seeing our kids (18 and 20) having a great time with their parents!"

Gregory

Baton Rouge, LA

Tour: 06/07/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour - - exactly what my wife and I were looking for, and what we expected. The group is a good size, and the bus gives everyone plenty of room.
The organized circle tour gets us from successive points A to points B each travel day in good order. The local guided tours (either walking with the Rick Steves' guide or going with a separate leader) are excellent. The independent time toward the end of the stay in each successive overnight spot is easy to fill.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Welsh Highland Railway steam train ride."

Jane

Oakhurst, CA

Tour: 05/31/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a very good tour with Mark on the Best of England. The sights were all first class and Mark add the historical touches that made it so interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Caernarfon castle was a great experience and between Mark and the docent at the castle, Sue, it was really great.
I love the history of it both old and more recent.
Westminster in London was also overwhelming considering its history.
The Stone circles Avebury and Castlerigg were awesome."

Teresa

Tenino, WA

Tour: 05/31/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing experience! After a tour of Glastonbury Abbey and a marvelous picnic on the grounds, I took a moment to check out the gift shop. I was welcomed by the clerk who said "You must be with the Rick Steeves tour group." When I replied "Why, do I look like an American?" He said "No, you look relaxed!" Sums it up nicely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My birthday landed on the day we stayed in York. The walk on the walls around York Minster after a fabulous Indian dinner with our tour members was very special. What made it "magical" was the York Minster bells. They began ringing and continued until after we walked back to our hotel. They were so beautiful."

Donald

Delmar, NY

Tour: 05/31/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 6th RS tour, and we were as pleased as ever.
Excellent tour leader, good choices for the itinerary, and a congenial group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An evening visit to the stone circle on a hilltop near Keswick was pretty special. Even better, Mark realized how tired everyone was after a busy day of hiking so he hired a couple of minibuses to take us up there and back in comfort!"

Mary

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stanway House was a special treat where real people lived and one could see life today in an old home. The mill was fascinating with its old technology."

Robert

Lino Lakes, MN

Tour: 05/31/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was very well done. Mark was friendly, knowledgeable, fun, and inclusive. Our bus driver, James, was an excellent driver and added a lot to our experience.
Our group was a wonderful mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. As mark will attest--mealtimes were never quiet!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Glastonbury Abbey site was eye opening and breathtaking. Mark's outdoor lunch that day was equally spectacular."

Glenn

Oakhurst, CA

Tour: 05/31/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was not only as advertised, but more. Everything went on schedule and worked for the benefit of the whole: the group's size, the bus, the train, the meals and the comprehensive nature of the tour itself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mark mentioned the Trooping of the Colours on the Queen's Official Birthday, so we took a tip from him in London and walked to the Mall. We were treated to an amazing display of British pageantry (nobody does it better), and saw the Royal Family up close and personal. Jane waved at the Queen and she waved back! Later we walked to Buckingham Palace and saw the entire family (except for Baby Charlotte). We saw the flyover with the Royal family! Wow."

Ramona

Breaux Bridge, LA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Unbelievable! Fantastic ! Wonderful! Whatever words can describe a fabulous trip. This was our 11th RS tour and I would recommend it highly to anyone contemplating going to England!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of many, was the memorial dedicated to Winston Churchill at Blenheim Palace. The Lake District was beautiful. Our picnic lunch. Wonderful history lessons learned at every place on our agenda was very interesting.
Just everything about this trip made it very enjoyable! Especially because of our very talented, knowledgeable guide, Tom!"

Ursuline

San Rafael, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour, which far exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide was excellent--interesting, knowledgeable, and entertaining; he made the tour outstanding. The combination of tour and free time was perfect. It was very well organized, and I appreciated the flexibility. The pace was just right. I also enjoyed getting to know fellow tour members Loved the buddy system--it worked well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey. Glastonbury Abbey, Wells Cathedral, Stokesay Castle, Caernarfon Castle Blenheim Palace, Westminter Cathedral, Cotswolds are a must see. Enjoyed the beautiful Bodnant Gardens and could have extended our visit there. The castle in Conwy and a stroll along the harbor in the early evening--magnificant. Stanway House and the nearby mill was lovely and interesting. Of course, Hadrian's Wall, the beautiful Lake District (boat ride), and the visit to the slate quarry."

Jeff

Seattle, WA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tom is an excellent tour guide. He managed the logistics of the tour very well and had a wealth of information about the places we visited and the history of England in general. He is a very positive person and seemed to be proud of his country which made learning about the places we visited more enjoyable. To the tour members, Tom is the representive of Rick Steves Travel and I must say he leaves a very positive impression about your tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I is hard to pick one moment since most every place we visited was interesting in some way. The baths at Bath were amazing and the reconstruction of the Roman parts was very well done. The Cotwolds and the Lake District were beautiful. The castles at/near Conwy were amazing. London was a little overwelming but we spent a few extra days to expand our experience there."

Sheila

Turlock, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I absolutely enjoyed everything about this tour. Each day was a new adventure and our guide, Tom, was "brilliant". He made every day very enjoyable and I was amazed at the depths of his knowledge. I am sure our group was a challenge because we all had a lot of questions about everything! The tour size was great and their was a good balance between group activities and free time. I cannot wait for the next Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is so hard to narrow down a favorite but I loved the city of York, especially the tour of York Minster. I also loved the pub night--the music was a lot of fun."

Gary

Turlock, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized and the guide (Tom) was incredible. He had an amazing breadth of knowledge ranging from English history to local flora. He interacted with each of the tour members on an individual level and his humor and comments made the bus trips fun.
The tour had a great ratio of time spent on tours and free time for members to spend as they wished. It was enjoyable seeing all the different aspects of England from Bath to Wales to London.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury Abbey was incredible. The sheer size of the ruins and history of area makes you realizes what a spectacle that Abbey must have been during the centuries leading up to Henry the 8th."

Jean

Charlotte, NC

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was very informative. Loved the history of the places we saw. Great balance of free and "guided "time. The number of folks on the tour was just right. Accommodations were good and seemed to represent real English life.
Our guide, Tom made the trip completely enjoyable.
I came to the party as a first time Rick Steves tourist with pretty high expectations. I finished the tour completely satisfied and an advocate of Rick Steves Tours! Well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick one. Loved every minute of it."

Carol

Olympia, WA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tom was fantastic and made the tour well worth while. I enjoyed all the wonderful places we visited. Learned a lot of history and met some wonderful people. The weather was a little stormy in the Lake District but that didn't stop us from having fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we arrived at Blenheim Castle we learned that there was the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death celebration. We were able to attend the celebration which included a marching band and a fly over the castle. We were taken to Churchill's grave site. All of this was extra , unexpected and very special."

Dick

Olympia, WA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, knowledgeable, helpful, great sense of humor. Can't say enough good things about Tom. What we saw and did was everything I had hoped. Wonderful history, museums, castles, churches, pubs, people, even the sheep were great. Weather was a little cool and just plain stormy in the Lakes District but that didn't stop us from having a good time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving at Blenheim Castle and being taken to see Churchill's grave site then returning to Blenheim for festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death. These festivities included a military marching band and a fly over by a World War II Spitfire. All of this was not part of the itinerary and unexpected which made it even more special."

Theresa

Petaluma, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 15th Eick Steves tour and one of the absolute best. England is a fun country to visit on tour, being charming and familiar and easy, with an almost understandable language. It was an exceptionally congenial group, who quickly became a traveling family.
The guide was Tom Hooper, who easily exceeded the very high Rick Steves standards for guides. His humor, perception and experience made the trip seamless to us. He made the trip outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Finding the "grave of King Arthur" in the ruins of the Glastonbury Cathedral was an unexpected delight. The York Minster was spectacular but being there on Tuesday evening when the carilloneur was rehearsing the songs was magical. The volume and timbre of the bells reached into my soul!"

Michael

Petaluma, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group congealed very quickly and became a tight knit joking group from the very beginning introductory meeting. The tour was a great mix of history, cathedrals, architecture, culture and natural beauty. The hubbub of London was a bit of a shock after rolling around the English countryside. We had been to London many times before, but the tour did a nice job of taking the group around to some of the highlights and introducing newcomers to the city. Our guide was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The city of York was a gem. The cathedral was amazing, but the whole town was interesting. There is a large, almost traffic-free old town with lots of shops and pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance to our hotel."

William

La Crescenta, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was simply excellent with a very good perspective on historical Britain and a taste of current society.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A very authentic evening in a Cotswolds pub with local musicians playing.
Picnic at Glastonbury ruins was very special.
And getting a Spitfire flyover at Blenheim Palace, but that was luck."

Carmen

La Crescenta, CA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour. We had a wonderful tour guide who set the right tone from the get-go. We had a very skilled and personable driver, Louise. We were incredibly lucky with a lot of things: We happened to be at Blenheim Palace on the 50th anniversary of Churchill's funeral and got to see his grave site and family church (not part of the tour). We were at York minster on a Wednesday when the ladies of the church provide coffee and cake -- good way to meet locals!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing a train pull in the station with "Rick Steve" (sic) signs on the window of one of the cars. Felt very privileged. Being entertained in a pub by local musicians who think highly of "Uncle Rick."
The description of the effects of the first World War on a small town that our guide Tom gave us in the Stanton church: it was very moving."

Kath

Cle Elum, WA

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A fine experience. The sight choices were all great and it surprises me what stays in my memory. For instance the private home of the Earls of Wemyss and the owners effort to restore the the fountain ponds and to see the restored and working mill, a real treasure. Also the letters that were discovered in Vindolanda, fascinating place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I just loved York Minster tucked into York and the coffee morning with the local volunteers and sitting with some local women exchanging stories about our towns and lives. Our guide to The Minster was an especial treasure. Such unbounded enthusiasm."

John

Winter Haven, FL

Tour: 05/24/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

EXCELLENT TOUR.WELL PACED .INTERESTING AND EXCITING.EVERY

Favorite "WOW" moment

"EVERY DAY HAD MULITPLE WOW MOMENTS"

Catherine

Olympia, WA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt that the tour was well organized and efficiently run without running us off our feet, although they did get very tired! That is, we had a reasonable blend of guided experiences, e.g. Westminster Abbey, coupled with free/downtime, e.g. seeing a play in London or just SEEING London. This blend exposed us to a great deal of history of place as well as time to explore the local scene and even meet the locals.
Excellent advance preparation, guide, and bus driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip on the Welsh Highland Railroad was my favorite moment. Seeing a Garret locomotive in action was a thrill, the countryside was awesome, and the lambs were very cute.
The local who told me people didn't realize how beautiful Wales is was correct; in my case anyway!"

Marjorie

Marysville, WA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mark is an excellent tour guide. He loves England and it shows. The experience was great. Good food throughout the trip. One that stands out is the dinner in Bath..a small place that the pre-order dishes did not sound so great. However, it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. We had an outstanding bus driver named Ted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The York church and the old "shambles" area of York. Very impressive. We had great local tour guides in York and also in London."

Sue

Stanwood, WA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"London, loved the museums and the tube was easy to navigate--loved the plays--also the Lake District with its great hiking"

Lynn

Harrah, OK

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

OUR TOUR GUIDE WAS EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, HELPFUL, INFORMATIVE AND IN GENERAL A WONDERFUL GUIDE.
Hotels- only one had a lift. Almost like we are challenged daily. I am a 65 yr. old woman- I walk 4 miles a day,and am in excellent health, but this can be challenging.
Good mixture of sites, something for everyone!
Our tour group became instant friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lake District's pristine beauty."

Judy Ann

Volcano, CA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I ended up seeing much more than even the tour listed. I also learned about more history of England than I ever knew.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved seeing all the Roman fort ruins with excavation taking place before my eyes."

Robert G

Volcano, CA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was very good with the only blemish discounting from outstanding based on the hotel rooms and beds. The Rick Steve's tour guide was outstanding in presentation, history and leadership. The bus driver was outstanding and the outside guides were outstanding in presentation and history.
The tour had a good balance between tour time and free time allowing for independence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the public trails of England and Wales - they provided a quiet sense of rural country experience"

Doreen

Auburn, CA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a fantastic experience. We enjoyed the mix of history and scenery, gardens, palaces and cities, cathedrals and Roman ruins. Our guide Mark was great. He provided interesting insights and humor, with a surprise thrown in once in a while. The hotels were comfortable with a variety of rooms, all adequate for our needs. The meals provided were very good and I loved the scone snacks. Our weather was cool and damp, but didn't keep us from enjoying everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the Bodnant Gardens in Wales. The rhododendrons were spectacular! Late May was the best time to see the gardens and fortunately the weather cooperated. I also enjoyed the other gardens at Stanway House, Lacock and Wells Cathedral. I was also wowed by the great cathedrals in Wells and York and Westminster Abbey."

Cheryl

San Diego, CA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was excellent--a life changing experience. I will carry the memories of the countryside, the people, and the overall feel of Britain with me always. Everything was well organized, and I felt like I experienced quite a lot in a very short time and got a feel of what it is like to live in England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire tour was a "wow" moment, however, seeing all of the countryside from the bus, especially in the Cotswalds[INVALID]with the fields and sheep grazing and then driving down the hill into Wales and seeing the green valleys spread out to the horizon before us was my favorite visual moment.
I also really enjoyed the various transportation experiences. We rode a bus, a steam train, a water taxi, a passenger train and the London Tube[INVALID]all memorable in their own right."

James

San Diego, CA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling with the Rick Steves' guide and manners of transportation created a secure environment conducive to learning, photographing and experiencing the customs, people and history of Great Britain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the countryside and arriving into each town or city on the chosen means of transportation."

Cynthia

Olympia, WA

Tour: 05/17/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish it was a grand experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be difficult to identify just one "wow" moment. At the end of each day, I felt I had experienced the best day ever, only to be amazed by the next day's events."

Rebecca

Edmonds, WA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was just great. All that I hoped it would be and more. I really enjoyed the historical and archaeological aspects of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really can't pick one favorite moment because we experienced such a variety of experiences and they were all wonderful in their own way."

April

Manhattan Beach, CA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I don't know how to adequately describe how much I enjoyed this tour. Not only was this my first RS tour, but it was my first time in Europe. The range of activities & experiences were varied & appealed to a wide audience. The pace & tour time vs. free time was well managed. I loved the attention to history, art, architecture, & cultural information provided by our guide. I felt safe & quite frankly, pampered since I was used to staying in hostels in the weeks prior to joining up with the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The evening of folk music at the Baker's Arms pub was beyond fantastic and something I'll not soon forget. Wales was so beautiful, and walking the medieval wall in Conwy was so cool! Caernarfon Castle was a great experience. Evensong at York Minster was beautiful. Avebury was amazing. Seeing sections of Hadrian's Wall and the Roman fort at Vindolanda was probably my most favorite; still can't believe I was there!! Really, the whole trip was a "wow" for me."

Doug

Walnut Creek, CA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As this was my first time in England, the tour was well structured to visit many of the highlight areas of the country. As usual, our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful; something we have come to expect with a Rick Steves tour. The countryside areas of England and their beauty and magnificent history were highlights for me. I would have appreciated more time in London, but we planned a few extra days on our own to make up for the brief visit there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The old city of York and the York Minster were absolutely amazing. Hearing the bell tower sounding shile walking the old city wall was definitely a "wow" moment."

Caroline

Oakland, CA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a great way to visit England for the first time. Not only was someone else doing the worrying and planning, but I had the advantage of the expertise, patience, and typically English humor of our tour guide. The tour group is a good size; big enough to provide variety and interest, small enough to feel intimate. It was a PACKED two weeks of laughter, awe, history, and beautiful countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's impossible to pick ONE favorite moment. My top three are: Caernarfon, York Minster, Glastonbury."

Gene

Sioux Falls, SD

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was just what we wanted, an in-depth look at England from the small town experience to the large city and what makes them each special. Roy and James, our driver, were outstanding and very understanding with the many questions they were ask. No doubt questions they have been ask many, many times before, even so they were answered with seriousness and in proper depth. I would have no hesitation urging family and friends to consider this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Only one wow moment, there were so many. Seeing Tower Bridge from the Tower of London was special. Or, the pub experience with the local singers, that was great."

Janet

Temple, TX

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fourteen days in England was not enough. I enjoyed every minute of our tour. There was a nice mix of Roman/Viking/British history, archaeology, architecture, scenery and religion. I loved the beautiful countryside of crops, walls and sheep. This all ties in with thousands of years of the history of this beautiful land. There was something for everyone on the tour - 2 kinds of trains, several kinds of castles, beautiful gardens and stories of the British people around every corner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment was Bodnant Gardens. We hit it at the peak of the azalea blooms. It was incredibly beautiful. My husband and I owned a landscape business, so this was like heaven for us. There was color at every turn and we only had an hour and a half to see this entire garden. I could have stayed there all day. I used up all the battery on my camera taking lots of pictures. I also loved the idyllic towns in the Cotswolds. Their "cottage gardens" were delightful! Loved it all."

David

Temple, TX

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the experience and the scenery was fantastic. England and Wales are very pretty and traveling across the narrow highways was very interesting and James was an excellent coach driver. Roy has his typical british sense of humor which was very interest to hear. He always made it entertaining. The diverse history and architecture that we saw was impressive. We saw so much, I have to stop and focus on individual things that we saw. Sometimes I forget about some of the things we saw.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York Minister is particularly impressive, with carillon bells, all the stain glass, evening song and the rose window restoration and stone restoration. It is so large and beautiful, it is just very impressive."

Lindsey

Aliquippa, PA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall tour experience was wonderful and I would do it all again. I would definitely pack lighter.:) I have been to the UK many times to visit family, but picked this tour to see things I hadn't seen before. It was a great balance of "tourist must-sees" and off the beaten path experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh dear. How can I pick a favorite? The pub night in Broad Campden at the Baker's Arms.Evensong at York Minster. The castle wall walk in Conwy. The picnic at Glastonbury Abbey....oh - and Bodnant Gardens!!!!"

Richard

Castro Valley, CA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was rich with a variety of new experiences: pre-historic sites, Roman ruins, medieval castles and walled cities, quaint villages, cathedrals, abbey ruins, commercial-turned-recreational canals, English agricultural countryside, ice-age carved lakes, seacoast towns, and London. Fun variety of transportation: bus, boat rides on lakes, narrow gauge railway in Wales, national train run to London, Thames River cruise, and plenty of opportunity to walk or take hikes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Train ride to Caernarfon in Wales, Lake District, and Hadrian's Wall.
Our group was first to take this train ride and it was very pleasant, but would also have liked to visit the slate museum. Geology ! - the Lake District was great, even if the rain limited our hiking. The boat ride on Lake Windermere and Derwentwater lake (in the rain) was great. Archeology ! so Avebury and Hadrian's Wall were very interesting; most impressed by the Vindolanda museum, the active digs and beauty of area."

Peggy

Castro Valley, CA

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As first-time Rick Steve travelers, we had heard nothing but good things from others who had taken a tour, so we're confident we had made the right choice. The itinerary matched our wish list for our first trip to England with a pace that suited us also. We were not disappointed! In fact, we couldn't have asked for a better group and especially Roy as our guide.
One change that comes to mind would be to allow another hour in the Tower of London - not enough time there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments, but to narrow down to a few and in no particular order: Wells Cathedral was off the chart stunning; Glastonbury Abbey and our outdoor picnic was a highlight; definitely the pub dinner with entertainment by local folk musicians was such fun and made for a memorable evening in the Cotswolds wrapping up a day of over-the-top charm and quaintness - a dream come true for me; the train trip to Caernarfon was
a thrilling change from the coach - perfect way to arrive there!"

Richard

Wilmington, DE

Tour: 05/10/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first and I was extremely impressed with it in every way. It exceed all of my expectations. Every aspect was well laid out and very simple to understand and follow.
Our leader, Roy was absolutely superb. His knowledge, temperament, and enthusiasm for what he does and how he does it was just remarkable to me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The villages in the Cotwolds and Lakes District as well as York."

David

Chaumont, NY

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In spite of the weather (I think Rick Steves needs better control of that) nothing was missed and all investigations were very informative and educational. We faced high winds on 2 days of outdoor activities and rain at least 10 days of the 14, however the group bonded well spirits were high.
At first I was concerned about the "quirky" hotels but the advantages became obvious right away. We were located within easy walking distance of many attractions as well as having easy access to resurants

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the evening of local music during our stay in Stow in the Wold. A fun evening of fiddlers singers and musicians presenting folk songs and humor. Nice.touch and good contact with the local folks."

Leigh

Bainbridge Island, WA

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great tour of England(14 days)with Mark. He did a great job and I learned so much about England from him. The itinerary was excellent, with visits to many places I hadn't ever heard of, but that were so interesting. We had a good group of travelers, nice people all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was Stanway House near Stow. The house was so wonderful and lived in, you could easily see yourself living there! The grounds were beautiful and our visit to the nearby mill was truly interesting."

Ann

Norman Park,

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This has been the most enjoyable organised bus tour I have ever been on. The itinery was perfect, the guide perfect, the bus driver perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Conwy in Wales and the Snowdonia National Park had to be the most memorable part of the tour."

Barbara

Kingston, ON

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide, bus driver, docents and tour group. Tour-wise, could have done with a few less churches and castles, a few more gardens, parks and art. But on the whole, a very good mix of guided time and free time and we loved every location.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Couldn't really choose between the Royal Crescent, the Wells Cathedral, Bodnant Gardens (even in the pouring rain), Blenheim Castle, Evensong in Yorkminster..."

Saryl

Toronto, ON

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fabulous overview of England and Wales for our first time visit. It covered enough to wet my appetite to return. The expertise of our tour director made the trip for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Actually two. One was the yellow sandstone throughout the Cotswolds, the other was the hotel at Stow on the Wold. The third was the sheep everywhere."

Maureen

Toronto, ON

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the tour very much, I liked the balance of group and independent activities, I loved learning so much British history, our guide was terrific and I enjoyed getting to know the other tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Yorkminster Abbey, from the outside and the inside."

Patricia

Fresno, CA

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had almost constant rain throughout the two weeks, but that did not dampen our spirits. Our fellow travelers (almost all)were fun, spirited and adventurous, and we enjoyed getting to know them. I have highly praised our tour to our friends. My only regret is that we didn't have more time in the places we visited. The time essentially amounted to two nights and one full day, which only scratches the surface for places like Bath, York and, of course, London.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was when Mark Seymour, our guide, brought us up to see St. Michael's in York, straight ahead of us--and then had us take a few steps to see the York Minster slightly to the left. "Wow!" was my comment!"

Lyn

Spokane, WA

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was one of my all-time favorite tours. The itinerary was exactly right, Mark was an incredible guide, there was just the right amount of guided and free time, and our fellow travelers were interesting and engaging companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How to choose? Fields of hedgerows and sheep; Roman ruins at Bath, Vindolanda, and Hadrian's Wall; ancient small villages with slate or thatched roofs; stunningly beautiful cathedrals and abbeys; the Lake District; the Landisfarne Gospels and Codus Sinaiticus at the British Library; a piano concert at St. Martin's in the Field and evensong at York Minster. I can't choose!"

Gerald

Houston, TX

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyable trip with some great scenery and interesting locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lacock Abbey and village."

Suzanne

Chaumont, NY

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it went very well. We had a knowledgeable engaging guide, tour members who bonded, with the help of Mark, and the chance to see some wonderful British sights that we wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to see. What kept me from choosing "outstanding" was the cold, rainy, windy weather which is to something that can be controlled.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed seeing the older English homes with timber framing and slate or thatched roofs in the Cotswolds. The visit to Lacock and Chipping Campden were a favorite. I plan to use them as inspiration for building a miniature scene with timber walls."

Sharon

Gardnerville, NV

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of England and Wales was outstanding. It had a good mix of sites from different time periods. Glad we got to Snowdenia and the Lake District to see some of UK nature. loved the picnic of local foods. It was great having free or down time occasionally.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the Cotswalds - between our walk in countryside, night at Bakers, Stanway Manor and seeing several villages. Those couple days were wonderful.
I also really liked Vinlandia, even though it was windy and wet. It provides amazing insights into ordinary Roman life. It was an aha moment when I realized that all of England has been changed by humans - no real wilderness left."

Patsy

Houston, TX

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! Our guide, Mark, was extremely personable and informative, and our bus driver, Ben, was great. I love the cultural "extras" that the Steves tours provide, such as the evening of folk music and songs at the Bakers Arms in the Cotswolds, the walks, and the picnic (complete with local food and drinks) on the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey. The weather was frequently rainy and windy, but that just added to the entire England experience. Our tour members were the best I've experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1) Drinking wine at the top of the hill in Castlerigg amid an ancient stone circle and frolicking lambs.
2) On the narrow-gauge train crossing through a cold and stunningly beautiful Snowdonia park. I felt like I was on the Hogwarts Express!"

Don

Everett, WA

Tour: 05/03/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour vastly exceeded our expectations. Every day was a new, informational, and exciting day. We expected a large dose of English history, but not on the scale we received. Each location we visited was fascinating and enlightening. The Brits are a wonderful people who are patriotic, friendly, and especially helpful when they see folks from the colonies struggling to find their destination. The folks in our tour group were easy travel companions and we continue to communicate with them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a tough one, but the Evensong presentation in the York Minster, where the choir sang the Psalms, accompanied by a giant pipe organ, has to be near the top. Having seen Christmas presentations on t.v. of choirs singing these wonderful hymns and then experiencing it in person was truly a magical moment. Outside of London, York was my favorite stop as it seemed to encapsulate all the wonderful things we had seen on the tour within its walls."

Thomas

Richmond, VA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. It met and exceeded my expectations. Gillian is a wonderful guide and leader: knowledgeable, entertaining, patient. Should we do a similar trip in the future, I would be more than happy to tour with her again. One of my fears before the trip was that the group would not be our "type." But that fear proved to be unfounded. It was a good group in general and we looked out for each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first glimpse of Wells Cathedral. Like turning a corner and discovering this gorgeous and impressive structure that just seemed to appear!"

Mark

Mount Vernon, WA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. I would of never managed to see or experience the many sites on my own with such efficiency.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall and Vindolanda."

Cresanna

Santa Barbara, CA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was in awe of the many abbeys & cathedrals that literally took our breaths away. Gillian-very skilled tour guide, has vast knowledge about language (where common phrases got their start, etc.), introduced meaningful historical references & spoke about the importance of the building materials available in different areas of England & Wales. She was able to manage a group that had different interests and energy levels, a skill I much appreciated. Great Job, Gillian. Thank you!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the vast, open space that was the Glastonbury Abbey and realizing how immense the abbey once was. The weather only added to the lovely, mystical feeling of the day. That was my first time realizing how huge the cathedrals and abbeys were/are and the purpose of transporting a common person into the Heavens."

James

Lowell, IN

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Gillian was exceptional. Personal and professional. Would recommend this tour to anyone. That being said, I thought too much time on a bus or boat. Very limited time at Blenheim Palace and Bodnant Gardens after long bus ride. Too much time spent in Bath.

Favorite "WOW" moment

Rebecca

Lowell, IN

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a pleasure. Well organized with an exceptional guide. As this was my third RS tour, I knew what to expect, and the tour met my expectations. As with any vacation experience, there are compromises, and sometimes I would have chosen to spend more or less time in a given location. But other tour members had different opposite opinions, and on whole it was fine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda. I was especially taken with the Vindolanda Tablets, which I had the opportunity to see later at the British Museum during our post-tour stay in London. Coincidentally, on the evening of our visit to Vindolanda, BBC 4 aired a documentary about Roman Britain which had a lengthy segment about the tablets!"

Maureen

Oakland, CA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Gillian, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, funny and engaged with the group. This helped us gel as a group and added to the tour experience. The itinerary was superb in the variety of sights and experiences. Staying at least two nights in every location reduced travel fatigue and allowed us to take in the town more fully.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose...the trek in the lake district was spetacular."

Andrea

Warwick, RI

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was the typical and lovely mix of a Rick Steves tour: tourist stuff and non-tourist stuff, a delightful and fun tour guide, an interesting group of people on the trip, stopping at different hotels/inns which are all different and interesting. Things started to blend together for me however, b/c it was long: 14 days. But, I will be going on another Rick Steves tour. I just don't know which one, and I may do the 14 days again depending on where I want to go.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the opera singing street performer
the beautiful baby sheep
the majesty of the cathedrals
hiking in the lake district
eating real gingerbread
listening to people speak Welsh
a special exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum
hearing evensong"

Mary

Oakland, CA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my third Rick Steves' tour and one of the best. The excellent tour guide and good chemistry of the group on top of the well-planned, varied and thought out tour itinerary were a smashing combination. I'm planning to return to England again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was no one thing -it's the combination that wows me: history, culture, natural beauty, group vs. free time..."

Donald

Sequim, WA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Gillian is excellent. It was a very good tour with a group of friendly people and we had a great time.
However, I know that there is a lot of England and Wales that could be addressed on additional tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was the pub dinner and local folk music which was even enhanced by being able to sample the ale that was brewed in Stanway House which we had visited earlier in the day.
On the flip side, least favorite, I would place Blenheim Palace. Outside the fact that Churchill was born there it's just a bunch of fancy rooms. It got old rather quickly."

Jody

Richmond, VA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The weather did not cooperate with us (windy, cold, rain), but the sights, food and friendliness were good compensation. Gillian did a great job coordinating things and pacing the tour so that we never got too overwhelmed with "groupiness."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First sight of Wells Cathedral."

Janet

Newmarket, ON

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded all my expectations. The tour guide, the planning and scheduling, the transportation and the hotels and the meals were all more than I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The moments of the approach to Blenheim Palace! Seeing the Palace and the landscaping by Capability Brown was beyond anything that I ever imagined I would experience. Breathtaking!"

Sue

Mount Vernon, WA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, Gillian was super. She was well organized and well informed about all sites,villages,cities and London.
Loved learning about all the history and especially the idioms that I learned from her.
The hotels were fine and dinners that the tour provided were good.
The group as a whole was nice, on time and enjoyable.
Would highly recommend this tour to friends .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite site was Vindolanda. Ever though it was a rainy day I loved hiking around the old ruins.
I could imagine what the Romans life was like . It was a wow for me!"

Arne

Mount Vernon, WA

Tour: 04/26/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my best trip to England yet! Have been to London twice, but not like this. Learned so much about the cities/towns we visited from our guide and the locals. Walked a lot! Reasonable pace and only challenging in some of the castles. Weather seemed seasonable(mix of sun, rain, wind and fog) decided it was "atmospheric" in some places like Vindolanda where we expected to see a Roman soldier appear out of the misty ruins at any minute.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trekking in Keswick was an adventure that will long be remembered for length (my own doing) vistas at Castlerigg, getting a German couple on their correct path (while I was actually lost) and getting a true foot long hotdog at The Chief Justice of small claims."

Linda

Indialantic, FL

Tour: 04/19/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was part of a month-long stay in England.The history of England has much to do with the sights on the tour and the guide, Roy, was great at fitting the architecture,history and stories together for our group.The group was small(14) so we could all fit together easily at sites to hear Roy.The pace of the tour was good.The sites were all memorable. The group was interesting

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really liked Stanway.It is real, not just a tourist site"

Linda

Boise, ID

Tour: 04/19/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My "roots" are English-ish, so I've wanted all of my life to see my peeps. Beginning with our guide, Mr. Roy-al, as in superlative, I fell in love with the people, the places. I appreciate the reassurances about the weather, and understand that you have no way of predicting it, but a last day or two weather update would be a great service. I tracked it, but was still surprised by the COLD. Warn people that 60 degrees in London is 40 in AZ.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I should be able to answer that since that's the ? so many people ask.....
Glastonbury? The Cotswolds countryside? The Lake District countryside? Stokesay? Westminster Abbey? Bodnant Gardens?"

David

Sitka, AK

Tour: 04/19/15

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick steves tour ,wow was it great. Roy our tour guide was outstanding,very well organized ,and very much a people person.The people on the tour were a good group ,like a team.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The best was the night we went to the Bakers pub in the cotswolds they had a local musical group that practiced there. We had several musicans on the tour and they all played together.It was great."

Bonnie

Olympia, WA

Tour: 04/19/15

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Roy was A very good guide. Funny ,well informed and tuned in to the needs of the group. He was very helpful to my husband, Tore, who developed cellulitis of his calf in the town of, Bath. He helped us arrange a visit to urgent care where he receive treatment, allowing us to carry on. He and the group were also very understanding of our needing to take it a bit easy due to Tores slower pace due to his Parkinson's disease .Good group of travelers.
Enjoy the opportunity for listening to music

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The pub and folk music in the town of Broad Camden. Theatre in Bath. Would strongly suggest it to follow travelers"

Paula

Warthen, GA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was amazing. We read and studied before our trip to help us be better informed, but we were amazed at how our guide's insights, knowledge, and enthusiasm taught us more than we could have imagined. Tom "made" our trip. He seemed to go way beyond what might be expected. One example was in planning our picnic at Glostonbury. He chose a wide variety of items for us to taste - which were unique to different regions of England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were blessed with beautiful fall weather. No rain or drizzle until we reached the Lake District. We had a rough storm that night and a rainy, windy morning. It began to clear early after lunch. We went out for a walk. The light, clouds, shadows, gentle wind, sheep, green fields, beautiful flowers.....made the lake and gardens absolutely beautiful. The light changed quickly and we got some beautiful pictures. We saw the mist rising the next morning. Awe inspiring!"

Richard

Fairfax, VA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour, like the three ETBD tours I took before it, exceeded my expectations in overall fun. And some of the places we visited and learned about were much more interesting than I thought they might be. I continue to be impressed by the guides you pick to lead these great tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the York Minster from the outside for the first time knocked me out. I just kept looking up and up and up!"

Barbara

Mountain View, CA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour surpassed all of my expectations for sights seen, group camaraderie, experiences, and tour guide expertise. It was my 3rd Rick Steves tour, so my expectations were pretty high. We had a remarkable overview of Great Britain's history, culture, and landscape. Going through rural England and Wales, through small cities and villages, and then into London was a wonderful way to experience the breadth of this interesting country. I highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WWI memorial of poppies at the Tower of London and hearing the bells at York Minster and St. Paul's Cathedral were the top emotional experiences of the trip. The scenery in Snowdonia National Park was magnificent and the friendliness of the people I met in the pubs and on the train was great."

Linda

Lynnwood, WA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful adventure visiting England and Wales. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting my co-travelers, seeing the countryside en route to each location as well as each site we visited. Seeing the Conwy castle from my hotel window at night was amazing - not the normal view from my windows in Seattle! It was a great learning experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A highlight was the walk back to the hotel via York Minster and hearing the 'changing of the bells.' That was a transforming experience!"

Melody

Burlington, WI

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We would love to take the England in 14 Days Tour again! The trip worked like clockwork. The tour group blended quickly and mixed freely. We all seemed comfortable, flexible, and supportive of each tour group member. The Rick Steves' Buddy System worked well. Our guide gave good suggestions and directions for free time. Tom, our guide, often made reference to Rick's book, and pointed out restaurants and sites that Rick specifically mentioned in his guide book.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just a few remarkable sites and experiences:
-Windemere and Keswick, the Lake District was beautiful!
-Moonlit walks in Conwy around the Irish Sea Harbor with the moon over the medieval castle tower and lights flickering on the castle walls. Hiking the medieval walls surrounding Conwy.
-Blenheim Palace with the Churchill and Princess Diana connection.
-Stow-in-the-Wold, charming and quaint.
-Glastonbury Abbey, where Jesus once visited and the Thorn Tree.
-Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda Roman Fort"

Richard

Portland, OR

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt this was the best tour of the five we've been on, and the others were excellent. Tom's knowledge of English history/culture, combined with his wit, made for an educational and entertaining trip. The sites on the tour were interesting and varied, and even stormy weather for one day in Keswick didn't take away from the atmosphere of strolling through the town. James the coach driver also added to the experience by interacting with tour members with his humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of "wow" moments, but standing atop Hadrian's Wall and walking through the ruins and museum at the Roman fortress of Vindolanda were highlights. Tom's emotional talk in the small church in Stanton about World War I's impact on his country will be a lasting memory. Our first overall view of London also was an inspiring moment for a first-time visitor like myself."

Tracey

Portland, OR

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful trip we had! I feel as if I thoroughly got to see the "Best of England" in all the villages, cities and sites we visited. We were fortunate enough to be visiting during the 100th anniversary of WWI and the poignant display of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London was awe inspiring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm looking over the itinerary now and it is extremely difficult to extract just one "WOW" moment. I am going to pick one of our afternoon (optional strolls). To wander the English country side chatting with our guide, Tom and the small group that wanted to go, was both personal and educational. I live in Oregon and found England countryside to be somewhat similar, but not the unique village aspect of the scenery. It was as if I had stepped into a painting - just beautiful!!"

Betsy

Albuquerque, NM

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was wonderful. Our guide-Tom was excellent. We had the good fortune of also having an exceptional bus driver-James. The banter between Tom and James was very entertaining and added much to the experience. All of the places we visited were places to which we would like to return some day!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We attended Evensong at the York Minster! What a moving experience. The evening at the Baker's Arms was also delightful-loved the folksinging!"

Barbara

Darlington, PA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tom is the best guide ever! He has encyclopedic knowledge of almost any subject. He showed a genuine interest in each and every one of his charges. He has the best sense of humor and could make history come alive. Definitely do not let him get away!
Tour had perfect mix of city & country, history and nature. Wonderful overview of a country I had been dreaming of seeing since childhood. Fellow travelers were great companions and made the trip so much fun. Hotels were well chosen too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Castles and cathedrals, breathtaking scenic views, history and nature - what's not to say "Wow" about? Looking out my hotel window and seeing a real castle - wow! Walking where the Romans walked - Wow! Seeing ruins where King Arthur may have been - Wow! Standing stones at Avebury, Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds, the Lake District - Wow! How can I choose just one?"

Ernest

San Jose, CA

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great tour. The sights, the guides, the driver, the food (oh, the food....)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Have to be hiking the old tow path on the canal between Bath and Bathamptom; when I stepped off the path for any group to pass (because I was a bit unsure of the etiquette), every single person, child or adult, said, "Thank you." Way cool.
Next would be Keswick in the Lakes District. Bit stormy when we were there, but it just added a layer of brooding interest to the location."

Robin

Ellicott City, MD

Tour: 09/28/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I'd been to England several times before and wanted my husband to see it too. We had a blast on this trip. From the moment we met Tom we knew we were in good hands. He really made the history come alive for us, and my husband finally got what I'd been saying all along!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was visiting Stanway House, in the Cotswolds. While the very nice guide was telling us about the house she mentioned the original owners who were my direct ancestors! What a surprise for me; to walk the house and land owned by my family in the 16th century! As one of my tour-mates said, this was our history and country before our families came to the colonies! Oh, and going to the pub to hear traditional music in the Cotswolds!!! And Hadrian's Wall!!!"

Kathleen

Irvine, CA

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It started out quite mysteriously being led into the underbelly of the Halcyon bar, Cirque. It was hard to see my tourmates in such dim lighting but that added to the spooky cool vibe. We all revealed & by the end of the tour, summed up our own personalities as we showed ourselves that initial meeting.
As far as the tour itself, our guide was superb. He was on his toes for all of us! I would regret falling asleep on the (always!) safely driven bus since I knew I missed great information!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My entire England experience was a continual wow moment. I have waited 30 yrs to finally set foot on British soil. I kept abreast as much as I could with as many Brit factoids as possible. I went to the Jane Austen Festival preceding my tour to get my fill of as many British interests as I could cram in within geographical parameters. I stayed 9 days longer after my tour ended so that I could feel accustomed to the London that tourists don't get to see."

Bill

Shepherdstown, WV

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, we were will a great group of people which makes it so much more enjoyable. Mark Seymour was great, very knowledgeable and always helpful. With the help of a very good bus driver we got to cover allot of ground and visit lots of sites. And the Lord blessed us with great weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several favorite moments. Getting time to chat with two British couples was very memorable. One was an elderly couple who grew up during WWII. The wife told us that she will never forget how the US airmen stationed nearby made Christmas especially wonderful for her. It is really nice to hear that about our military.
As for a WOW moment was when we came out of our hotel in London that first evening and being overwhelmed with the mass of people who were out. It was amazing."

Larry

Corvallis, OR

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and the tour guide, Mark, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and fun to be with.
It had the right combination of organized tour, orientation to the new locations, and free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of good moments! I enjoyed strolling through the Earl of Wemyss' Stanway House and the surrounding grounds in the Cotswolds. Mark also showed us the little church yard in Stow-on-the-Wold where Tolkien liked to hang out. The pub night with a local band was fun, too!"

Patricia

Portola, CA

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was the best so far( It is #8 ) This was due to several factors. The group was small - 16 people. The tour members were very compatible and lent a hand when anyone needed it. The weather was incredible, and finally, the guide was the best, by far, of any we have travelled with, so far.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "WOW " moment was part presentation and part the grandeur of the Cathedral in York. Mark had us stop just before we could see it and then let us go around the corner for the full, dramatic effect. Actually I was surprised by the incredible beauty of the countryside. England is more beautiful than Ireland and much more fertile."

Donald

Mill Creek, WA

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very enjoyable trip. Mark is an outstanding tour guide. The group really jelled with the tour guide, the driver, and with each other. I wonder if the small tour group size (16 people) made this easier. The tour enabled us to expedicially experience a lot of England and Wales outside of London.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We've experienced climbing over Roman ruins, going into large old cathedrals, and walking through walled medieval towns/cities in other countries. What made this trip unique from those other trips was the experiences of English pubs with entertainment, walks through the beautiful pastoral countryside, a musical in London's West End, an Evensong service sitting amongst the choir at York Minster cathedral, and walks through London's famous neighborhoods, streets and parks."

Danielle

Austin, TX

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've now taken six RS tours, and this one, much to my surprise, was my favorite. I had good reasons to go: British ancestry, lifelong Anglophilia, educational background in English literature, etc. I take tours not because I'm incapable of independent travel but because I value the education I receive from the people I encounter, whether it be the lead guide, the local guides, or even fellow tour members, and this tour was just above and beyond in that and every regard. Fantastic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be easy to cite as my "wow" moment the time that a fellow tour member and I met and spoke with Julian Fellowes (creator of Downton Abbey) outside of Blenheim Palace, but that was more of a fan-meets-celebrity-and-turns-into-giddy-schoolgirl moment. A real standout was experiencing the Castlerigg stone circle in the Lake District. We had perfect weather, a gorgeous sunset, excellent company and, for me, a few special moments of life-altering peace and beauty that I'll never forget."

Sally

Marietta, GA

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Led by a very knowledgeable and interesting guide, this tour made rural England come alive through the eyes of Mark who was born and reared here. His enthusiasm for his native country made this experience even more meaningful. I loved visiting the different towns and saw how the homes differed depending on the stones prevalent in that area. As a gardener myself, I definitely appreciated their glorious flowers. Learning about the history of this area was very interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite activity was taking a walk through the Cotswold area. I had seen it on Rick Steves 's TV Show and had always wanted to do that. We walked across fields, through kissing gates,down sidewalks in villages and ended with an icecream cone. What a fun activity!"

Donald

Portola, CA

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pat and I have now been on 8 tours.
This was the best. Our group was very compatible and worked well together.
Mark was an outstanding leader.
We had been to England years ago but had not seen the wonderful sights, Mark shared with us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is very hard to pick out a specific "wow".
The 'stone rings' were probably the leader but close behind were the Cathedrals and the "Wall".
The ability for the people in the past to construct the many 'rings' that have been found, is amazing."

Christopher

Prince George, BC

Tour: 09/23/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the entire trip and all the history although by the end of the trip I had reached history overload. I would not hesitate to do it again or recommend it to a friend. Actually I have already recommended it to a few people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every time I saw the massive rock structures! The engineering and construction of them blew me away considering when they were built. the fact that some have been standing for over a thousand years is impressive."

Martha

Fairfax, VA

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall experience was outstanding. The weather was perfect and Gillian was a superior guide. I thought the trip was very balanced with something for everyone. Lots of beautiful scenery, hiking, history, art appreciation, music, good food,and plenty of time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think attending evensong at the York Minister was a highlight. Also, love the contrast of seeing over the top Blenheim one day and then the very lived in Standway House the next. Enjoyed sharing a pint with a local family down on the harbor in Conwy. A real Rick Steve's' experience."

Betsy

Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved everything about the tour. Gillian was the best guide, so professional and fun.
The bus was great, very comfortable with lots of room,.
the pace was good with just the right amount of time to be on ones own and do some meals apart from the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The two National Trust properties we visited were wonderful and beautiful.
Visiting the roman ruins were a real WOW."

Harry

Silver Spring, MD

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was terrific from start to finish. My friend Jessica and I chose this tour because of her (very good) previous experience with Rick Steves, and because I wanted to see these parts of the UK that were new to me (I worked/lived in Canterbury & Sandwich, Kent for 4 yrs). I loved the history (back to/before the Romans), the locales chosen, staying in small hotels and meeting people in the tour group& towns and cities. Ben (coach driver) and Gillian were well-informed & fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Wall, especially the Vindolanda archeological site, which was fascinating. I love Roman history and seeing it 'up close' like this was a wonderful experience! Runner(s) up: Stanway House which seemed comfortable and beautiful (but approachable), and York (my favorite city on the tour); again wonderful historic place - wonder if Richard III will rest there?)."

Houston

Portland, OR

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

total immersion in history, culture, communities, countryside; comprehensive, well executed schedule, great sites, walks, meals and more; still invigorated by the experience - had to exercise caution when 1 member's cold spread to 1/2 of the tour members - we avoided it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeghan Skillikngton singing Andrew Lloyd Weber's Pie Jesu in the public square at sunset in front of the Roman Baths in Bath, UK"

Tim

Savage, MN

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time. Well organized, plenty of free time to explore and options to do what we wanted. The organized events provided a great experience and flavor of each of the areas we visited in England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall and roman fort excavation. wonderful to see the exploration and preservation of the Roman ruins"

Jessica

Rockville, MD

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. We visited so many amazing places and our tour guide Gillian was amazing. He knowledge of history and culture was great. She made us feel comfortable and relaxed and often made us laugh. The places we stayed and the places we ate were all very friendly and pleasant. Our bus driver was friendly and navigated us through some amazingly narrow roads with comfort and ease. We always felt safe and comfortable.
The variety of places visited was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. For me visiting Hadrian's wall and seeing the handiwork of Romans from so many centuries ago was a thrill.
It was also exciting visiting laycock, Avebury, Vindolanda - it was all good."

Elizabeth

Federal Way, WA

Tour: 09/21/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our Tour of England! Thank you!
Our guide, Gillian, was informative as well as entertaining.
Our bus driver, Ben, was cordial and skilled.
thank you

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ed and I took a side trip up the Cat Bells hike in the Lake District and then walked back to Keswick, getting a little lost, but never seriously, keeping the lake on our right.
We also enjoyed the Castle Caervoran as well as Vindolanda and West Minister Abbey.
Gillian did an awesome job preparing us for each museum, abbey and castle, while mixing it up with entertaining word origins."

MaryAnn

Albuquerque, NM

Tour: 09/16/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first tour we have ever taken and we couldn't have been more delighted. The locations chosen to visit and the activities planned were all remarkable. We were provided with a broad slice of all aspects of life in Britain, from villages to cities, palaces to pubs. Events were well organized and always went smoothly. No time was wasted! It really was better than we could have imagined. Magical!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me the days we spent in Keswick in the Lake district were the best. The location was beautiful and there was plenty of opportunity to take advantage of walking and hiking. Loved the boat ride on the lake and the chance to see a Shakespeare play in the theater."

Sunil

Kolkata India,

Tour: 09/16/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been travelling the world (20 countries so far, and counting!), and this was the first time we decided to go with Rick Steves. As India did not have any representation, I dealt directly with the US office, and money transfers etc had to be sorted out. But the office was delightfully helpful - and the tour was an absolute delight!!
I doubt if we would have done England with the depth and intimacy which this tour afforded: an excellent itinerary and a fabulous guide ensured this!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A walk through the Cotswold countryside - beside brooks, through flower-strewn meadows, feeding mares, gazing at fat sheep, and ending with our guide Martin treating us to local ice creams!!"

James

Fremont, CA

Tour: 09/16/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very fortunate to have a great tour guide, beautiful weather, and a wonderful group of people on our tour. I would say this tour was beyond our expectations, and we will definitely be looking at your tours in the future. If there is any criticism at all - it would be that the pace sometimes seemed a little bit rushed, and we would have liked to have had more time in certain places, but we understand that this can be part of a tour experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, certainly one of which was when Martin took us on a short tour of the National Gallery and commented on a few of the works of art. His knowledge and passion for the subject was inspirational. During the tour, his breadth of knowledge in general was impressive - presenting with humor and expression. Other wow moments: Glastonbury, Hadrian's wall (great local guide), Cotswold walk w/Martin, live music in pub near Stow, Castlerigg stones, Covent Garden on Saturday night"

Tanuja

Kolkata,

Tour: 09/16/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was very nice ,just the right combination if walking and resting . it wasnt tiring at all.
had a lovely group of friendly people.
places we saw were not typically touristy,atleast some of them.
overall a great experience,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The picnic with lunch.
,and loved every place we went to."

Devang

Kolkata,

Tour: 09/16/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely fabulous tour. Martin and James were so much fun! Both of them became more friends than just our tour guide and bus operator by the end of the tour. Martin's knowledge about each and every place we visited, his sense of humour and helpful nature made the experience ever so memorable. Hope for the best for both of them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is extremely hard to pick just one 'wow' moment but I would choose the Lower Slaughter Walk that Martin took us on at Cotswold would definitely be my favourite moment on the tour. The Henge Walk at Avebury would count as being a close second as would the drive to Keswick!"

Patricia

Fort Mccoy, FL

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've been trying to think of something that was less than perfect so I could provide constructive feedback, but it was perfect! Great tour leader (Robert), excellent sites, even good weather. Even our bus driver was delightful. I was also impressed with the local guides that took us around particular sites - they were charming and knowledgable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many...but if I had to pick it would be Wells Cathedral and York Minster (okay, that was two). They were jaw dropping."

Linda

Shelton, WA

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was all that I hoped for and more! I loved every minute. Nothing disappointed. I was especially impressed with our guide, Robert. His knowledge of the history and the way he imparted it was fantastic. He was fun, funny and nice. I didn't want to come home i was having such a great time. I'm hoping you will add the south coast and maybe Cornwall into a tour. After watching Foyle's War for six years i would love to see Hastings in person. And of course, Brighon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"People asked me what my favorite thing was. I could not come up with an answer. Everthing was so interesing and fun. I couldn't imagine the tour of a slate mine was going to appeal but it was most fascinating. I loved the guy who talked about the mining and demonstrated the way to split the slate. What a card! All the guides Robert lined up for us were interesting and fun."

Ellen

Aiken, SC

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 14 day England trip was fabulous! This was our first tour, ever, as we tend to travel on our own. We found it well paced and provided a good bit of free time to explore, which we truly appreciated.
Our guide and bus driver were just fabulous and made the trip that much more enjoyable.
The small group was great! We had a wonderful group of people from all over and had lots of fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many to pick just one!"

Patricia

Oregon City, OR

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Robert was truly a gentleman and he gave us just the right amount of information so we didn't get confused by too much detail. Louise, our bus driver, did an excellent job of keeping us safe on narrow roads. We especially enjoyed the Lake District and the Cotswolds. The folk musicians were so friendly and fun to hear in the charming little pub on a very dark and dreary night. Being a colored pencil artist, I also enjoyed the pencil museum in Keswick.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm not so fond of towns and cities as I am fond of nature and landscapes, so it surprised me to see how much fun I had going to a play in London. Another highlight was to get to know some of the people. We'd go to a restaurant, and a conversation would get started. The taverns that allowed dogs were especially fun!"

George

Langley, WA

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England has a "magic" that is palpable. I have lived in Europe and visited over 20 countries, but there is something special about England, something impossible to put in words, and this tour captures the magic very nicely. I spent the next few weeks trying to figure out how I could live there permanently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wells cathedral. Not the biggest in Europe or even the UK, but it knocks your socks off when the gate opens and you see it for the first time."

Marcia

Coaldale, AB

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our every expectation. This was our first trip to England (or any part of Europe) and there was a certain amount of apprehension on our part. But thanks to our brilliant guide, Robert, we sailed through the tour in fine form, being transformed from timid tourists to confident "locals".

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were so overwhelmed by being in London and England and seeing everything we heard about all these years that we can't pick out any one "wow" moment. As Canadian monarchists we were thrilled to be in the Mother Country."

Vincent

Coaldale, AB

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our every expectation. This was our first trip to England (or any part of Europe) and there was a certain amount of apprehension on our part. But thanks to our brilliant guide, Robert Halkett, we sailed through the tour in fine form, being transformed from timid tourists to confident "locals".

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were so overwhelmed by being in London and England and seeing everything we heard about all these years that we can't pick out any one "wow" moment. As Canadian monarchists we were thrilled to be in the Mother Country."

Laurelle

Langley, WA

Tour: 09/14/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Brilliant! A wonderful balance of country and city, medieval and modern, revved up and reflective.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a rainy night as our bus wound down a narrow road to the Bakers Arms in Chipping Campden. Step into a cozy, warm pub that's dimly lit with hearty food and drink filled with the sounds of music and laughter. The local band is funny, engaging and proud to be English. This is when I FELT that I was in England. Wow #2. Seeing Wells Cathedral rise up over the grassy horizon against a sunlit blue sky. Our guide Robert set this moment up perfectly. Wow #3. Stained glass @ York Minster."

Kris

Newark, OH

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous time. Tom was so knowledgeable and very very funny. He spent "quality time" with every member. We had a great group of fellow tour members...all with interesting backgrounds and very personable. Everyone was interested in learning more about the places we visited and Tom answered many many many questions completely. Our accomodations were wonderful and tours/sights included met or exceeded all of our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is so very hard to answer because there were so many. I enjoyed Evensong at York Minster, Glastonbury Abbey ruins, Keswick and the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Conwy.....if I keep going I will have listed the entire itinerary!"

Cameron

Newark, OH

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was one of those trips where all the possible factors that make a trip enjoyable were in alignment. Of course the country was wonderful, our tour guide was exceptional and the tour group was to the very last person on time and easy to get along with and fun to be around. Our coach driver, Ben, was quite a personality as well!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On a trip like this favorites are not often what you might have anticipated to start. Not to minimize great buildings and sites, but at the slate museum near Llanberis we walked back to the quarry lake that had formed at the base of the high wall the image was other-worldly to say the least. Not at all what I had expected.
Vindolanda was incredible. It is well thought out and being an active archaeology site, something you don't see often. Field archaeologists to answer questions -WOW!"

Earline

Oregon City, OR

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was incredible! We give it a 10/10 on our favorite vacations rating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think for me it was the time when we were sitting in a church in, I believe, it was Conwry, and Tom,our tour guide, told of the devastation of England villages from WWI."

Brigitte

Kapaa, HI

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

great pick of locations to visit. picturesque hotels to stay in. very knowledgeable and very amusing guide who was excellent in picking up what went on with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"bodnant garden"

Dorothy

Denver, CO

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment came after the tour was over when I realized I had just experienced a two-week long learning experience that I will enjoy and cherish for the rest of my days. I learned so much about England (and Wales) - history, culture, flora, fauna, foolishness - by virtue of our guide Tom's mastery of absolutely everything. The tour was densely packed, but carefully coordinated so that I was able to absorb what I was experiencing and relate to what had come before. Well done!"

Ron

Petaluma, CA

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an awesome tour. The best I have ever experienced. The tour guide, our bus driver and the staff of the hotels and restaurants were mostly great. I felt that the tour was a bit heavy on churches (cathedrals, abbeys, church ruins, etc.) but in retrospect I don't know which I would cut out, probably Wells. More of a balance of contemporary history with the ancient history would have been to my taste, particularly WWII but that is just my interest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed each day equally. I was engrossed by the political climate with the Scotland independence vote during our tour and the opinions of the Brits and Scots with whom I was in contact. My emotions were for Scottish Independence but my logic was for it remaining with the UK. Also, being in England for The Last Night of The Proms was great. Observing the patriotic fervour of the crowds reminded me of the 4th of July in Washington DC."

Audrey

Vienna, VA

Tour: 09/09/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful!
All the arrangements were great. The tour guide went out of his way to give us all a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick just one! There were several: Wells Cathedral, Snowdonia, the Lake District, St. Paul's Cathedral...I could list more..
But my favorite would have to be coming into the Lake District and seeing Lake Windermere and Derwentwater."

Forrest

Springfield, IL

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, on time, no glitches, every detail planned and attended to. Guide (Mark) was very knowledgable. Excellent communication skills, wonderful teacher, fun traveling companion. His attentiveness and interest in providing us with an educational, memorable and fun experience was extraordinary. Bus driver (James) was a great guy too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. My top three. Standing on Hadrian's ancient Roman Wall, rounding a corner in York and seeing York Minster for the first time, and the wonderful folk singers who entertained us at a country pub in the Cotswolds."

Flora

Buhl, ID

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have been on many great vacations, but this one may have been my favorite. Initially I wondered if choosing "Best of England" would disappoint us, because it would not be foreign enough. But I actually liked it that the people of England speak the same language as we do. It was great to be able to connect with them so easily. I enjoyed them...finding them to be very social, fun and funny people!
I also enjoyed being in small towns in the country the majority of the time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stokesay Castle was very impressive. Plus I was truly wowed by the views from the coach windows...endless miles of gorgeous, storybook-pretty countryside...even the fences of ancient stone and trimmed hedges added to the beauty of the landscape."

Barbara

Columbia, MD

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we had a great trip with a wide variety of activities and places to see. I liked hearing all of the history not only about the kings and queens but about the development of the country. I have been to Bath and London before but this time I learned a lot more and saw things I had not seen before. The tour at London tower is well worth it even if there is a lot of people onthe tour We ventured out to Camden Lock market on our own which was great fun. Mark provided perfect Metro instructions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This , of course, is hard to do but I would pick the lake district and the Cotswolds. Also , all of Wales. Bodnant Gardens was lovely, especially the dale. Can't forget the evening of local folk music. Great fun and great songs. England's countryside is lovely with a combination of sheep, stone buildings , and rolling hills."

Harry

Buhl, ID

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Probably one of the best trips I have taken. Tour guide was great as a guide, but also as a friend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stokesay Castle and Stanway House and the York Minster."

Brad

Elmhurst, IL

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We watched Rick Steves England program before our trip and were thinking maybe we have seen what we needed to and there won't be much new there. Since this was our first Rick Steves tour we thought it would be some general facts and rehearsed touring. How wrong we were. From the start of the trip everything we saw sprang to life in a rich and wonderful way. The Rick Steves programs are good, but the real wonder is the tour when you are there. We will definitely take Rick Steve's tours again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment was when we went to Wells, the bus parked, we got off, and Mark walked us around the corner and the Wells Cathedral was before us. What a magic moment to see this structure in all its glory in this small English town. The rest of the stay there just built on that and it ended with us being there when part of the religious and clerical staff happened to be doing a group ice bucket challenge. It was a lucky and human moment where we truly knew these are living structures."

Dave

Portland, OR

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had the right mix of history, architecture, art, culture and just plain fun. There was a surprise around every corner. I am not a big city person, so having most of this tour in the countryside and small towns made it much more enjoyable. A couple of long days on the bus but Mark, our guide, did a great job of breaking it up. This was our first tour of any type and it greatly exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That had to be when we walked through the gate to the grounds of the Wells Cathedral and seeing it for the first time. Having just spent the morning at the Glastonbury Abbey ruins, seeing this standing building was just awe inspiring."

Roger

Newcastle, WA

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was another very good tour from Rick Steves. We were so fortunate with weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many really good moments on this tour, so it would be difficult to pick one out."

Peter

Sherwood A Park, AB

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I have been travelling for 20 years. This was the first Rick Steve's tour we have taken. We rate a holiday by 1. Tour Guide 2. People we meet. 3. Interesting things we see and do. The England tour was by far the best holiday we have ever been on.
Mark was a big part of the success. He was very friendly, informative and very entertaining. He always went far beyond any expectations that we would have from a Tour Guide. He spent his spare time with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was in the Cotswold when Mark and a large group from our tour want for an evening Walk up a hilly area and watched the sunset. Mark then brought out some wine to toast the evening. My Wife and I will never forget the experience."

Connie

Portland, OR

Tour: 09/07/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was great, the weather was excellent, the people in our group were very enjoyable, the coach was comfortable and we loved the English country side. We also very much enjoyed James, our coach driver. He was helpful, and an extremely able driver with a wry sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury Abbey and Wells Cathedral. Also loved the silhouette of Conwy Castle and its relationship to the town. There were many "wow" moments though, such as Stanway House and Avebury so it is difficult to choose just one."

Kim

Weatherford, TX

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything we hoped for! The size of the group was perfect and we had such a wonderful group of fellow travelers. We loved having two nights in each place - it gave us enough time to get a feel for each place and a little time to explore on our own. The hotels were well located and I pretty much loved each one - any "quirks" just added to its charm. Our guide, Gillian, should be declared a national treasure in her own right - she handled every detail seamlessly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"England is gorgeous and I loved everything - but several places touched my heart the most and made me wish for a time machine - Glastonbury Abbey, Stanway House, Caernarfon Castle and Conwy, Wales, Bodnant Gardens and Vindolanda. We had remarkable guides for several of these places and it brought history to life. I was probably most charmed by all the dogs - in the pubs, on walks, in the boat and everywhere and the masses of hanging flower baskets over the shops."

Sharon

Sonoma, CA

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. I would have liked a little more time in some places: the Lake District, Hadrian's wall/Vindolanda, London.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall/Vindolanda, and the British Museum."

Walter

Michigan City, IN

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best trip I have ever taken. Looking forward to 2016.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gillian"

Oscar

Maineville, OH

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every thing was first class

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Westminster abbey"

Janiece

Michigan City, IN

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was absolutely the BEST tour I have ever been on. The experience was wonderful from the sights, history, hotels, food, and the new friends we made. The days were paced well and we had plenty of free time. Our guide, Gillian, was fantastic and I would jump at the chance to travel with her again. I will highly recommend this tour to all my friends and will look forward to taking another Rick Steves tour in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I did not have a single "wow" experience because the entire tour was so great that it was full of multiple "wows". Even now, a week after the end of the tour, I am looking at my photos and trying to imagine how we could have possibly seen and done all the many things we did. It could not have been more well planned!"

Dawn

Centennial, CO

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a marvelous experience! We thoroughly enjoyed each of the sites we visited. Thank you for organizing such an outstanding tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two "wow" moments. The first was Vindolanda -- such a rich archaeological site and totally unexpected as I knew nothing about it before the tour. My second was the "sea" of poppies at the Tower of London to honor the commonwealth dead of World War I. Never have I seen a memorial that was so creative and meaningful."

Marguerite

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, but seeing where Chaucer was buried in Westminster put me in awe because I studied his writing in grad school."

Cindy

Mt Vernon, WA

Tour: 08/31/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was impressed with the layout of the trip. It was well balanced. The last day in London was a little to much and wished I had more time at the Tower of London and the British Museum.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Truly the entire trip was WoW. The countryside and villages were great. My personal wow just because I have waited for a long time to see was the British Museum."

J E

Holiday Island, AR

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I really wanted to love this tour as I did my first RS tour but in the end I just can't rate it higher than good. We had a great guide the local guides were exceptional, and the sites we saw are for the most part outstanding (the exception is I cannot for the life of me understand why you don't take people to Stonehenge and their new visitors center - highlight of our trip to England which we did on our own). Also, dragging our bags 30 minutes to the York train station is ridiculous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian Wall and the associated Vindolando were amazing. I certainly wish we had more time there. It was even more impressive than I expected.
For our time in England, Stonehenge was the biggest WOW but we had to do that on our own!!!"

Sharman

Surprise, AZ

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves' tour and our least favorite. The UK just didn't have the wow factor of other tours and the weather played a large roll in that. Hiking in the Cotswolds in mud and heavy downpour was just not fun nor was the Lake District with fog and damp. We could just as easily been hiking the the rain forest in Washington State. Ironbridge Gorge, Lacock, and Wordsworth tomb were just bathroom stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The only "wow" moment was Vindolanda. Visiting an active archeological dig was fascinating and could have had more time there."

Virginia

Renton, WA

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we would certainly sign up for more. Our guide shared with us from his wealth of knowledge about all things relating to Great Britain, delighted us with daily surprises, ushered us gently and skillfully along a varied and plentiful journey. Our fellow travelers were up for every experience offered and ready to share and learn from one another. We saw so much in the 14 days and wouldn't eliminate a thing. Good balance of tour time and on-our-own time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I shall long cherish the memory of a musical evening at a Cotswolds pub, where local musicians shared traditional British folk music through instruments and song. It was a true gift, given joyfully from the heart, and we were invited to join in and share in the giving."

Derwood

Oak Ridge, TN

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the site of the north tower on the wall in Conwy and looking diagonally across the city at the ruins of the castle."

Katherine

Marietta, GA

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour trip to England and Wales was my trip of a lifetime and it was a wonderful experience. This was my first guided tour and everything from hotels, meals and transportation were perfectly scheduled and better than I could have put together myself. I especially enjoyed the historic information with all of the sites we visited and being with a group of people who shared the same interests and enthusiasm. The pace was well planned and we had certain times for our own side trips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments for me but I especially enjoyed the Cotswolds with the beautiful countryside and villages still standing. It is wonderful that the heritage groups protect the area and villages. Bath was also wonderful to visit and feel the history around you. Wales was exactly as I pictured even down to the dreary weather which do not dampen anything we did. It just added to the ambiance and character of the sites."

Dave

Marietta, GA

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour we experienced was exactly what was advertised plus a few additional interesting sights. Our tour members were all seasoned travelers who were also interested in touring and fun to be with. The weather gods smiled on our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The display of Roman era sandals at the Vindolanda Museum near Hadrian's Wall was the highlight of the tour for me. Many of the designs were incredible."

Sandy

Wichita, KS

Tour: 08/24/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was WONDERFUL. We took this tour because it included parts of England we'd not seen.
I realized after we began that we were going to see much more of the countryside than we'd seen before (on two other, non-Rick Steves, trips). BEAUTIFUL scenery and my husband was amazed/bemused at all the sheep! ha
I learned so much about England - from Mark's lectures and from my asking ( too many) questions.
Enjoyed getting to know the other participants; Rick attracts interesting, nice folks

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lake District - would love to return
Roman Baths tour in Bath
archeological site and museum
Avebury
Stanway House
Bodnant Garden
boat cruise on Derwentwater
seeing York Minster staned glass "up close and personal"
the group meals - always appreciate these because of the local cuisine
folk musicians in pub
final meal in Covent Garden
cruise on Thames
crown jewels (much more interesting displays than years ago)
London's tube (had forgotten how to use!)"

Elaine

Glendale, CA

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour covered interesting sites/areas. I appreciated the overview of England, which included the Cotswolds and Lake District.
Minor issues - would have like to somehow include Stonehenge, enjoyed the visit to Glastonbury Abbey but did not feel the town itself warranted as much time as was allotted/would have preferred more time in Wells. London schedule was too hectic/tiring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one wow moment - just appreciated the overall variety and breadth of the tour, and the chance to see so much of a different country"

Dale

Kitchener, ON

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Enjoyed it Very much, what I could do of it. I had previous issues with my feet which limited my participation on a number of activities however my wife and 3 children had a very positive memorable time. The pace would have been 'brilliant' if I had been feeling better. I always enjoy touring 'through the back door' and Gillian was awesome as all of the tour leaders have been. Looking forward to our next trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't really isolate only one part."

Nanette

Chicago, IL

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Gillian was an amazing tour guide. I don't think they come any better than her--enjoyable, knowledgeable, sense of humor, a great travel companion. I DO wish we saw alternative visual art like paintings, sculptures and architecture beyond that which was held in churches, etc. Also, more alternative performing arts-dance, music, opera, films, theater, drama, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip had so many "wow" moments!"

Lauren

Kitchener, ON

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time on this tour. Everything was wonderful and I particularly enjoyed the folk evening in the pub, the time in Wales and the trip to Blenheim Palace.

Georgia

Santa Barbara, CA

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Truly exceeded my expectations. At the center of my experience was the presence of Gillian who helped to weave us all together into a harmonious community. Her depth of knowledge and experience was so enriching. So the combination of community with a manageable number of people, alone time and orchestration of experiences was wonderful. I will go again for sure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Perhaps walking at dusk on the city wall surrounding the city and hearing the cathedral bells practice session was pretty amazing."

Nancy

Kitchener, ON

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 5th tour with Europe through the Back Door and completely
met the standard we have come to expect from Rick Steves - knowledgeable guides and amazing coach drivers with focus on history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Caernarfon Castle was one of my favourite sights, brought to life by our guide Martin. The demonstration of slate splitting was another favourite as was Hadrian's Wall."

Terry

Santa Barbara, CA

Tour: 08/10/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fabulous experience! Both Gillian and our dear driver, Louise, were so kind and generous! The incident that occurred at the Ironbridge really drew us together as a group. I loved the pace of it all...the way it all had been planned so carefully, and when Georgia and I went on the train to Paris after our breakfast on the last day we felt so alone after all that comradeship! Thanks for a wonderful experience. I hope you send information about other tours as soon as you plan them!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The way we all bonded after the car incident was amazing.. all these strangers only caring in Nanette was ok. This was an unusual bonding experience!"

Christine

Madison, WI

Tour: 08/03/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a wonderful tour with a very experienced and unflappable guide. Roy greeted everyone warmly on our first meeting and I appreciated how he presented the upcoming itinerary to whet our travel appetites even further. When our bus driver had health issues and had to be taken to the hospital Roy soldiered on and made sure we had a substitute bus and driver sent to pick us up so that we could seamlessly move on with our day. What a delightful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first view of a home in the Cotswolds with a thatched roof equaled one big WOW! It seemed so quintessentially English, and I was thrilled to know that such homes aren't just for show but are really lived in and treasured by their owners."

Don

Lake Forest Park, WA

Tour: 08/03/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Roy was an excellent guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the Cotswolds. Wish we had spent more time there"

Kathy

Chatham, ON

Tour: 08/03/14

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The sites visited were very interesting and enjoyable. Unfortunately, our group never really gelled. That may be because 14 out of 22 travellers were part of a more mature social group that had known each other for years.Well, perhaps they gelled! I sometimes felt like the poor relation at the party. I did try to make the best of it but felt awkward at group dinners.I do know that if I ever plan to do another RS tour that I will inquire about block bookings and avoid that tour like the plague.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Blenheim Palace, the charm of Stanway House, the tours of York Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Caernarfon Castle. I am a bit of a history buff. My favourite time though was hiking around the Lake District during some wild weather and still being able to admire quite stunning scenery."

Roy

Seattle, WA

Tour: 08/03/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought it was well organized and focused on the important sites in the areas we visited. I did feel rushed between breakfast and jumping on a bus to visit a site. As I age it is harder to perform the needed functions prior to a quick departure. I would rather have a simple breakfast in my room such as a bowl of muesli and a banana that I could eat at my leisure rather than waiting for the kitchen at the small hotel to get their act together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow "moments were the Roman town that is being excavated and the British Museum in London. I really appreciated the knowledge that Roysten brought to the tour because of his education and working on his PhD in Archaeology."

John

Seattle, WA

Tour: 08/03/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As expected, the Rick Steves tour was exceptionally well executed, despite several set-backs. Our bus driver's heart attack at a hotel was handled effectively and with empathy to the driver, the strike at the slate factory was managed as best our tour guide could do, and the weather forced us to cancel what looked to be a fun boat ride. Roy did a fine job of handling all these setbacks. We even had two special birthday celebrations during our tour, and that was appreciated by all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't say that I had a specific wow moment, but the entire tour was intellectually stimulating, and since we had organized a group of 14 (the "Kenworth BUM's"!) to participate, we had a really fun group....and tried our best to include all the other tour members in our fun."

Vicky

Nogales, AZ

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We haven't been on a Rick Steves tour before and our tour far surpassed expectations. Tom was an amazing tour guide and Nigel was much more than an assistant, a pleasure to tour with both! It seemed like we had plenty of time in each location and looked forward to the next stop. The choice of accommodations and restaurants was perfect. We were welcomed on each tour location and made to feel very special. I couldn't have had a better time and it was all because of Tom, Nigel and Rick Steves

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Personally, the pub meal with the local music was the moment I will remember the most. It was a very special evening and so personal. The locals enjoyed the evening as well and made us feel comfortable."

Denise

Fresno, CA

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first group tour. It was well organized and our guides, Tom and Nigel, were excellent. I did feel rushed a few times, but I realize that is the way it goes with group tours. Overall the tour was very enjoyable. A big thank you to Tom, Nigel and Louise!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Wales! It was so beautiful. My late husband's grandfather was a miner, so I really enjoyed the Slate Museum. Vindolanda and the Slate Museum were my favorite places."

Janet

Oldsmar, FL

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My experience of the Best of England (and Wales) in 14 Days was a fairy tale. Shortly before leaving for the trip I had my DNA analyzed, and found out I am 70% British. For me it was like going home. So much was packed in it is hard to comprehend. The hotels were very nice,best scones on earth, but I was also able to communicate with my guide Tom about my spinal cord cyst and upper back pain so he understood if I did not attend every event offered. I pretty much rave about your tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments! Touring Westminster Abbey was deeply significant for me, learning that I could navigate the tube, the vistas of the Lake District and Cotswolds made breath taking photo memories. Our group was jovial and I think others understood my situation as a single disabled woman. Learning about the importance of the Roman occupation and excavations was a recurring theme. Watching young children who seemed so happy and innocent was as strikingly beautiful as the gardens."

Richard

Mt Prospect, IL

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Tom, was absolutely fantastic. His attention and consideration of all of the participatents is especilly noted. The tour was well planned with many exciting avents. Hotels were different but good with excelent locations to shopping, restautrants, and night life. Tom's knowledge of the various locations was extremely helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The folk singers in the pub. This was a real surprise and very entertaining. All of the meals were good with some big surprises on the difference in taste (especially pecan pie). The poached egg breakfast was a little too much and coffee left a lot to be desired. But the service was good and the remainder of the food was well prepared."

Catherine

Federal Way, WA

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my third tour. Plenty of free time; good group to tour with; guide Tom Hooper was excellent - historical knowledge amazing, enjoyable and good sense of humor. Especially enjoyed the smaller towns to London because less crowds during summer. Of the towns we visited, favorites were Keswick and York.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Stanway House manor. Despite being large, it had a comfortable feel, unlike the larger castles/abbeys, where it had lots of history, beauty but you could see yourself living there. Would like to re-visit next time I'm in England."

Judith

Stony Brook, NY

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was perfect from beginning to end. Our guide, Tom, was a caring, sensitive, funny, enlightened, friend to us all. The places we went were amazing, beautiful and historic. Our traveling companions were kind and great to be with. It was hard to say good bye to them when the trip was over. It was the vacation of a lifetime. Thank you Tom, Nigel, Louise, and fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be easy to pick out any of the fabulous places we visited, but I will never forget an experience on the bus. We were driving through Wales, and Tom was playing us some lovely music by a traditional Welsh male chorus. All of a sudden, the sun came out and lit up the Irish Sea in the distance. It was a perfect moment and brought tears to my eyes."

Margaret

Snohomish, WA

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience. We had a fun group of people to travel with and our guides were excellent. Everything was very well organized. I liked the mix of planned activities and time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everywhere we went was a "wow". I especially loved touring the castles and churches and hearing the history behind them all."

Carol

Prince Rupert, BC

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall experience was positive, I enjoyed the guides and other tour members. The pace and Itinerary were excellent, some of the locations so lovely I could have lingered much longer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Westminster Abby was wonderful, more for its collection of historic figures and monuments than its grandeur. Seeing Elizabeth 1 tomb was a definite highlight."

Robert

Clearwater, FL

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Yesterday I was asked to name what was most memorable about our tour. I thought about it for some time, then realized it was Tom Hooper, our guide. Please pass on my sincere thanks to Tom. He made a very good tour outstanding.
The places we saw were well chosen and interesting. The lodging was a little too authentic for my tastes, I'd like a top sheet and better pillows. That said, my legs are MUCH stronger thanks to the stairs!
Our group got along very well thanks to Tom and Nigel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beth - Bodnant Gardens. Absolutely spectacular.
Mine - Stokesay, or Conwy, or Carnarvon, or York, or Vindolanda, or Westminster Abbey, or the Tower of London."

Christina

Mt Prospect, IL

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I don't think I can say enough great things about the tour. Tom and Nigel were just perfect. Information and facts along with jokes were always flowing. The small size of the group was perfect. Having the luxury of a Guide plus Assistant was most helpful due to my husband and I having to walk a bit slower. We never got lost or left out. Both gentlemen were nothing less then perfect. Both were a wealth of information and local 'sheep' and 'cow' facts!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really don't have any one favorite "wow". Each stop and city/town had it's own charm. England was just beautiful, villages, castles, places and the pub dinner and folk music. Each stop was an adventure. The free time to explore on our own was great. All the meals were great, some greater then others. I was able to experience other delights. Having just retired from 38 years in the food service industry this was an exceptional treat for me."

Robert

Stony Brook, NY

Tour: 07/27/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was outstanding. Our guide Tom combines astonishing erudition, great wit, and immense skill at helping strangers to become like a family. Nigel, our assistant guide, was quietly efficient and immensely thoughtful. And our driver, Louise, was amazing at squeezing a big bus into small spaces. We are so happy that your warnings about the trip's physical demands didn't scare us off. We'd definitely take another Rick Steves tour--especially if Tom leads one to Cornwall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but one of my favorites was our unexpected encounter with the Earl of Wemyss. As we toured his home, Stanway, there he was: straight from Central Casting, winding his clocks and greeting us shyly. As to "ow" moments, I'd say Blenheim Palace. OK, we buy the argument that it's necessary to see that level of opulence to appreciate other parts of the tour. But it was one vast, hideous monument to war."

Diane

Hillsboro, OR

Tour: 07/13/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was perfect! It was a wonderful mix of free and planned time. Gillian was FABULOUS! I would go anywhere with this woman. I just loved the whole experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Wales! I fell in love with it!"

Brad

Hillsboro, OR

Tour: 07/13/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had the time of our lives. This was our first overseas vacation and our first guided tour experience. We know now that we want to do more traveling like this and will definitely do it with Rick Steve's tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm an architect by training and thoroughly enjoyed the tours of the Cathedrals, Abbey's and castles. The rich architectural history of England and Wales is amazing to see in all it's manifestations, right down to the charming thatched-roofed cottages, so well preserved and accessible to the public."

Colleen

Stockton, CA

Tour: 07/13/14

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

It was just ok. The hotels were not always the best and the food was not good. Also there were things in the tour that should have been left out.
The best was the private tour of Stonehenge I booked the day before.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrians wall which we had about 15 minutes at and Westminster Abbey which we only had about 1 hour at."

Garth

Surprise, AZ

Tour: 07/13/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tour Guide was wonderful!!The hotels were mixed, some very good, some not so good. The food was good as long as it was not Pub Food. The weather was unexpectedly wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW's were the ancient ruins. The natural beauty of northern Britain was captivating. I wanted more of Hadrian's Wall to climb on and more stone circles to walk around."

Norris

Bradenton, FL

Tour: 07/13/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pub dinner with live music"

Rose

Edmonds, WA

Tour: 07/06/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful trip with my two boys! Before the tour began, I was rather worried when I saw the list of tour members, they were the only children. During the trip, I asked them to compare it to the Best of Europe Family trip. They both said it was more fun because the "older people have a much better sense of humor"! Mark was knowledgeable, funny, thoughtful, well organized and overall super! The diversity of sites made the trip so memorable. The singing at the Pub was so much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A lot of memorable moments such as seeing York Minster for the first time, touring beautiful Bodnant Gardens, and shaking hands with Prince Charles at Glastonbury Abbey was a treat! How can you beat that?!"

Diane

Baltimore, MD

Tour: 07/06/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The great people on the Rick Steves' tours are always central to my experience. I always feel like I've discovered my tribe. Mark was a great guide, very knowledgeable and fun. Louise, our driver was wonderful. I felt like I kept having one amazing experience after the next. I can't say enough good things about this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting Prince Charles at Glastonbury Abby. I know meeting him was not on the tour itinerary, but it was crazy wonderful. I got to shake his hand and have a little chat with him, and found him to be so charming and kind. The middle school girl who still lives inside of me squealed and jumped up and down. Ok, the middle aged woman in me did the same. Good times."

Brian

Edmonds, WA

Tour: 07/06/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very fun and interactive tour, I enjoyed talking with our guide and other tour members while on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The British Museum. When I got inside it was huge, many things surrounded me both historical and modern things. Some known most unknown. I learned new things about my favorite type of history."

Steven

Edmonds, WA

Tour: 07/06/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

To me it was an outstanding trip! With a great guide, and great company from all the other people on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Wells Cathedral really surprised me with its great art, and funny art at the same time. Such as, the penguin, and the funny faces."

Karla

Kirkland, WA

Tour: 06/22/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We wanted to experience as much as possible during our first trip to England, and we were not disappointed.
What a fantastic cross section of the country! Now, when we go back, we will have knowledge of where we would want to spend more time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the River Severn, from atop the Iron Gorge Bridge, left me speechless.
The ruins at Glastonbury were magical, as was the little Welsh town of Conwy."

Joe

Kirkland, WA

Tour: 06/22/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first overseas trip - this was an outstanding experience. Gillian was the best guide you could ask for, and the tour content can't be beat. The city and attraction choices were outstanding. We really feel like we got a great feeling for England. We'll have to return for more exploration of Wales (LOVED Conwy), Cornwall, Ireland, and Scotland. Already planning our return and future Rick Steves' tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We walked the ancient city walls in Conwy, Wales. At the furthest extent of the walls, we were able to look back across the town to the castle ruins. Absolutely beautiful!"

Jean

Billings, MT

Tour: 06/22/14

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Although Avebury is special in its own way, I strongly feel Stonehenge should be the stone circle included in the tour if there is time for only one.
With time so limited I would have preferred to see more of Yorkshire instead of heading into Wales/Conwy --- or make the tour longer!
Really loved the musical night at the pub in the Cotswolds. More of that please!
I know Rick tried to prepare us for London but I had NO idea what was in store for me, the sheer numbers of people on the st.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury Abbey is otherworldly, its size and ruined splendor are unmatched. I had a lump in my throat the whole time I was there.
Westminster Abbey. Hard to put into words, I guess it's the history contained inside, it seeps into your very body. Elizabeth I is there!"

Daniel

San Jose, CA

Tour: 06/15/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an amazing time on my tour through the U.K. Mark and Nigel were excellent tour guides, who were not only very informative but very fun to explore the country with. They often organized extra activities for the entire group at night which were always excellent; from hiking to modern political debates on current issues, which allowed us to become even more emmersed in experiencing the United Kingdom

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment from traveling through the U.K. has to be the hike we took in Keswick. We hiked a few miles up a mountain and before I knew it, we were overlooking the lake below us and the city of Keswick."

Kathryn

Wichita, KS

Tour: 05/25/14

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour in Europe and there will be many more. I had such a wonderful time. I love, love, loved finding myself steeped in history, exploring castles, city walls, old buildings and ancient places. What a feast for the eyes and soul. I enjoy beautiful gardens, history & literature, I teach art,... it was a perfect trip with my sister. I am still amazed with the beauty of it all and with the efficiency of the trip. We had a schedule to stick to and yet I didn't feel hurried.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't single just one moment out. I was in awe the entire time! Special treats that our guide, Mark Seymore, found for us were pretty amazing. The garden in Lacock, (see #5); Stokesey Fortified House I believe was an added bonus, an wonderful old structure we were able to eat lunch on the lawn there. My sister and I had a little snack at York Minster, sitting with locals there was great fun. We later went to Evensong Services there as well,-that might be my wow moment."

Weather

England / London

England / York

Pre-Tour

We've put together some specific information on what you should know about this tour before you go. You'll also find more general information about "Getting Ready for Your Tour" on our Tour FAQ.

Trip Resources

Learn more about England: Check out a collection of Rick's TV shows, radio interviews and articles, plus find a list of recommended books and movies.

Transportation

Prior to your tour departure, you will receive detailed directions on how to get from the airport to your first tour hotel, as well as contact information for your first and last hotels in case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations.

Many tour members arrive a day or two before the tour begins — and those who don't, wish they had. This allows you ample time to get over jet lag and make the most of the first few days of the tour.

London is a major transportation hub, making additional travel before or after your tour quite easy. This tour begins in Bath. It is easiest to fly in and out of London and train or bus to Bath. Direct trains to Bath are available from London; trains from Gatwick airport require a change in Reading; and train service is not available from Heathrow airport. Alternatively you can travel from both Heathrow and Gatwick airports on a direct National Express coach (bus); schedules can be found at the National Express website, www.nationalexpress.com.

If you need more information about additional European travel or for specific questions about your tour, contact the Tour Department at 425-608-4217 or email tour@ricksteves.com.

Sightseeing On Your Own

If you arrive in Bath before your tour begins, use Rick Steves Great Britain guidebook to get oriented. Ride the public transportation and get over your jet lag with lots of fresh air and exercise.

Here are a few suggestions for sightseeing in Bath that we will not do as a group: Bath Abbey, Georgian House at No. 1 Royal Crescent; Fashion Museum; Assembly Rooms; Museum of Bath at Work; City Bus Tours; day trip to Stonehenge or Salisbury.

Many tour members like to attend a play or a concert while in London (see Rick Steves Great Britain guidebook for details on how to buy tickets). Your guidebook also has plenty of ideas for any extra time you may have before or after your tour and your guide will be happy to help you with post-tour plans.